The Department of Health has gazetted a second price increase for all medicines sold to private-sector groups in South Africa, with the Single-Exit Price (SEP) increasing by 2.88%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The SEP is the maximum price a manufacturer or importer may charge private-sector groups, such as hospitals and pharmacies, for medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The acting Minister of Health, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, gazetted the price hike effective from 1 October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Acting Minister said the change would apply to all medicines registered and listed in South Africa on 30 September 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This extraordinary SEP adjustment shall be applicable to the SEPs of all medicines that are registered and listed in the database of medicines valid on 30 September 2026,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The resultant SEP shall come into effect on 01 October 2026.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The increased prices for private sector health groups will have a knock-on effect on consumers, who will pay higher out-of-pocket costs for medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The SEP was previously increased in 2026 by 1.47%, with the second increase coming amid higher global transportation costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higher global oil prices have strained logistics, raising import costs for international groups selling medication in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the gazetted SEP update, the Department of Health said there would be no processing of SEP update submissions from the second half of September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“In preparation for the database of 30 September 2026, there will be no processing of SEPU submissions between 15 September 2026 and 30 September 2026,” the department said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“All new SEP update submissions submitted after 01 October 2026 must reflect the updated base SEP of the database of 01 October 2026.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gazette also reset all applications relating to a specific section of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, according to the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This Notice resets all applications submitted made in terms of regulation 9 of the Regulations Relating to a Transparent Pricing System for Medicines and Scheduled Substances Regulations to Section 22 G of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965,” the department said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Such applications, particularly those submitted in 2026 and for which no resolution will have been made at the time of publication of this Notice shall be deemed withdrawn.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The price increase was gazetted by Ndabeni-Abrahams while she served as acting Health Minister between 24 August and 30 September 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She was appointed to the acting position by President Cyril Ramaphosa while Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi was on sick leave.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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