Who We Are
The Self-Care Association of South Africa represents and supports companies involved in the manufacture, sale, distribution and consultation of healthcare products (including over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, complementary medicines, health supplements and self-care medical devices or IVDs), that enable the public to better manage their health and wellbeing.
The association maintains close contact with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and advocates for a regulatory environment which provides for safe, efficacious and quality self- medication products. Additionally, the Self-Care Association of South Africa regularly meets with the National Department of Health in order to ensure we represent the best interests of our members, and in so doing the interests of the South African consumer when it comes to self-medication.
The Self-Care Association of South Africa is Johannesburg based but our membership extends to other cities within South Africa such as Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria.
The Self-Care Association of South Africa is a trade association which is unincorporated and operates not for gain.
Membership
The Self-Care Association of South Africa has six membership categories
Ordinary Members are companies whose primary functions (whether outsourced or not) are the manufacture, marketing and sale of self-medication products (including OTC medicines, complementary medicines, health supplements and self-care medical devices or IVDs) in South Africa.
Associate Members are companies who manufacture, market and/or sell prescription medication and/or medical devices; and/or who provide products and/or services to the pharmaceutical industry. These companies do not manufacture, market or sell their own self-medication products. Associate members also include those companies who provide services in some form (including third-party manufacturing, marketing, merchandising and/or sales) to the Association’s membership.
Consultant Members are companies or individuals who offer legitimate consulting services to the self-medication, pharmaceutical and/or medical-device industries.
Retailer / Wholesaler / Distributor Members are companies who are a legitimate and licenced pharmacy retailer, pharmaceutical wholesaler or distributor as stipulated in the applicable South African legislation.
Honoury Members are individuals who according to the determination of the majority of the Self-Care Association of South Africa Executive Committee, have made an extensive and significant contribution towards the status and reputation of the self-medication industry in South Africa; and who have accepted an invitation by the Self-Care Association of South Africa Executive Committee to become an Honoury Member. This membership category is exempt from membership fees.
Academic Members are any South African academic institution whose primary faculty is the teaching and promotion of pharmaceutical care through education, research and scholarship. This membership category is exempt from membership fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you be interested in joining the Self-Care Association of South Africa, please contact Nicola Brink on nicola@selfcareassociation.co.za
There is a fee associated with joining the Self-Care Association of South Africa. Please contact Nicola Brink on nicola@selfcareassociation.co.za for more information.
The benefits of joining the Self-Care Association of South Africa are numerous.
As a Self-Care Association of South Africa member, you have access to the following:
Knowledge based offerings
- A highly skilled team commenting on matters relevant to members such as the regulations on complementary medicines and health supplements, medical devices, cosmetics, SEP increases, NHI etc.
- Training events such as ‘What every sales manager and sales rep should know’, Marketing Code training etc.
- Workshops relating to complementary medicines and health supplements, competition law and any other topics requested by our members
- Access to a wealth of technical and other information across OTCs, complementary medicines and health supplements, cosmetics and medical devices
- Access to a Senior Executive’s vast wealth of expertise and knowledge (20 plus years)
- Monthly newsletter and other relevant communication, including hot-off-the-press information
Consumer and industry related matters
- Up-to-date and relevant information provided
- A members-only website which adds value to the industry
- Schedule 0 exemption application vehicle
Government affairs
- Excellent relationships and interactions with the regulator
- Regular meetings with SAHPRA on industry-related matters
- Consultative partner to SAHPRA on topics such as complementary medicine regulations etc.
Work streams
- Regulatory and technical
- S2 advertising – uplift the ban
- Down-scheduling / switch
- Complementary medicines and health supplements
- S0 Exemption from 18A and 22G
- Global Self-Care Federation
- Counterfeit in medicines
- The backlog
- Streamlined registration process for OTCs
- Other as deemed necessary and appropriate
Industry leader
- A voice on the Marketing Code Authority and on CTAC
- Unified standards
- A united front
- A sounding board
- Access to customers
- Promotion of OTC interests and agendas
- Provides collective strength and voice
Global and local memberships
Membership:
- Membership of the PTG
- Membership of the ITG
- Access to other industry bodies through the Self-Care Association of South Africa leadership such as IPASA, SAACP, PSSA, ICPA, PHARMISA, DSA, NAPM, SAMED etc.
Members of the Global Self-Care Federation:
- Board member of the Global Self-Care Federation
- The Self-Care Association of South Africa will host the Global Self-Care Federation 2020 Conference
- Access to global networks through the Global Self-Care Federation, PAGB, ASMI
It does indeed. The Self-Care Association of South Africa has 45 member companies ranging from pharmaceutical companies to pharmacy retail groups. Member companies are in a position to interact and network at general meetings, EXCO meetings, workshops and training sessions.
Contact Details
Tel: +27 (0) 82 410 5859
Email: nicola@selfcareassociation.co.za
Mailing Address:
PO Box 734
Strubens Valley
Roodepoort
South Africa