South African healthcare & funding
Falsified medicines may contain the wrong ingredient, the wrong amount, or none at all, and are most often encountered when buying outside the licensed supply chain, including from online sellers and social media. Warning signs include unusually low prices, missing or damaged packaging, no SAHPRA registration number, poor print quality, or no batch number and expiry date. Do not use a suspect product; take it back to the pharmacy and report it to SAHPRA.
Also known as: counterfeit medicine, fake medicine, substandard medicine
Related South Africa guides
Sources
- SAHPRA (South African Health Products Regulatory Authority)
- WHO guidance on substandard and falsified medical products
Last reviewed: 8 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.