Weighing in on COVID-19
Weighing in on COVID-19 Think of those fighting on the frontlines On 11 March 2020, the Coronavirus or COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. The last time this happened was 11 years ago and for many, COVID-19 is something of a new and unexpected threat. It seems to have...
Healthy homes and facilities to reduce infection risk
With the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions moving to Level 4, many South Africans are inevitably going to be exposed to more risk of exposure and transfer. This is already apparent when looking at the increase in cases since 5 May 2020. It is imperative that South Africans battle these heightened risks by keeping their homes and facilities not only clean but sanitised too.
Operation WarHorse – providing a South African pipeline for essential goods
Operation WarHorse – providing a South African pipeline for essential goods An initiative to develop a freight pipeline to bring vital, essential and medical supplies to South Africa utilising special airfreight charters has been launched as an initiative by the South...
Deep Heat – Your trusted brand has a fresh new look
Deep Heat – Your trusted brand has a fresh new look Cape Town, May 2020: Mentholatum SA, a health and wellness company and the makers of Deep Heat, has announced the launch of its new Deep Heat product packaging. The packaging upgrade and refined logo covers the...
Lack of supplier development leads to critical pharmaceutical shortages in COVID-19 crisis
The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted a lack of supplier development in South African supply chains. This has contributed to shortages of critical pharmaceutical components like the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in medicines, according to SAPICS, The Professional Body for Supply Chain Management.
Amgen launches AMGEVITATM a biosimilar to adalimumab, in South Africa
Amgen recently launched a medicine used to treat autoimmune diseases in both adults and children.
AMGEVITA is a biosimilar medicine and contains the active substance adalimumab. This means that Amgevita is similar to the biological medicine that is authorised in South Africa. The launch of AMGEVITA reflects Amgen’s commitment to developing high-quality biosimilars.
South Africa to breathe easier with landmark OBEL® RespiClear® range
Local specialist brand-building distributor, ACDOCO SA is soon to offer yet another pharmaceutical first in South Africa, this time an affordable, locally manufactured, nature-inspired highly effective decongestant range. The OBEL® range includes RespiClear® Nebs, RespiClear® Vapor Rub and RespiClear® Drops.
The Virustatic Shield
The Virustatic Shield helps slow the spread of viruses like no other face mask currently available on the market. Its revolutionary protein coating disables influenza viruses on contact. Virustatic has developed a scientifically proven way to capture and eradicate the threat posed by all known influenza family viruses. It also works against Coronavirus, SARS, MERS and the common cold.
Adcock Ingram Critical Care completes precautionary COVID-19 testing of primary contact employees
On Thursday, 23 April, an employee at the Aeroton facility tested positive for COVID-19, and as a precaution, 57 employees from a specific operating department were referred to a private pathology laboratory for testing on the same day and were self-quarantined based on the primary contact trace in line with the company’s COVID-19 protocols. The infected employee is currently in self-isolation. The company received the test results from the laboratory on Friday, 24 April 2020, and we are pleased to confirm that all 57 employees who were tested as a precautionary measure based on the primary contact trace at the Critical Care manufacturing facility have tested negative for COVID-19.
Adcock Ingram employee has tested positive for COVID-19
An employee in the Adcock Ingram Critical Care manufacturing facility has tested positive for COVID-19, and 50 other employees have undergone testing today and self-quarantined based on the primary contact trace. As a pharmaceutical company, they are part of an integral healthcare system and the medicine supply chain in South Africa, their priority is the health and safety of our employees, customers and the citizens of the country, and it is therefore their responsibility to contain the spread of any additional infections within the organisation. Adcock remains committed to complying with the regulations and procedures as outlined by, inter alia, the Departments of Health and Labour.
How to make your workspaces safe after lockdown
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown has had an unprecedented impact on how businesses operate. Negatives aside, this pandemic is an opportunity to push workspaces into the future with new health technologies. We already know that a virus will survive on many surfaces that make up our office spaces and this means the potential risks for virus transmission in the workplace are everywhere. Health and safety regulations will adapt to protect our labour force and it is the responsibility of every business owner to adapt with them.
What’s the real story with masks in SA?
Health NGO Right to Care, which is supporting the Department of Health with its coronavirus response, is calling on all South Africans to wear masks when leaving home. “South African citizens must wear cloth masks, not only because we have to comply, but also because it could protect other people if you are infected but not aware of it. A mask is one of the layers of protection against the spread of the virus,” says Dr Eula Mothibi, executive director at Right to Care who also manages Right to Care International.
SEW-EURODRIVE (Pty) Ltd. joins national initiative to use 3D printing to combat critical face-mask shortage for healthcare workers
Drive and automation technology leader SEW-EURODRIVE (Pty) Ltd. has joined a nationwide campaign to use 3D printing technology to produce much-needed face masks and shields for healthcare workers and first responders. Since the announcement of a national lockdown to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa, there has been a global shortage of such critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Large-scale rollout of smart lockers fast-tracked during coronavirus to ensure safe collection of chronic medication
Due to high levels of fear, South Africans are increasingly missing their healthcare appointments and not collecting their chronic medication during lockdown. However, it is now more important than ever that people who are immune-compromised keep taking their chronic medication to increase their immunity for COVID-19. To make sure that South Africans don’t have to wait in long queues at clinics or hospitals to collect their monthly medication, Right ePharmacy and the National Department of Health is fast-tracking innovative Collect & Go smart lockers.
All South Africans should be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis
In Southern Africa, acute bacterial or viral meningitis causes considerable morbidity and mortality. In particular, even with appropriate therapy, meningococcal disease is often fatal and approximately 20% of those who survive will suffer from complications, including hearing loss, skin scarring, amputations and neurological fall out. Therefore, even though the incidence of meningococcal disease is relatively low in South Africa, all South Africans, starting from 9 months of age, should be vaccinated to protect against meningococcal infection.