This visual comparison of the amending Acts and the effects of their amendments will aid in understanding the new Act when it is in effect.

Pending amendments
The Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 is poised to undergo substantial amendment when the Medicines and Related Substances Amendment Act 72 of 2008 (with effect from a date to be proclaimed) and the Medicines and Related Substances Amendment Act 14 of 2015 come into effect (immediately after the commencement of the Medicines and Related Substances Amendment Act 72 of 2008).

South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)
The 2008 Amendment Act provides for the establishment of a new regulatory authority, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), which will replace the current Medicines Control Council, and for a two-tier registration system for the registration of medicines, medical devices, and other products such as foodstuffs and cosmetics with medicinal components or in respect of which medicinal claims are made.

Amendments side-by-side
In this useful format, firstly, the Act is shown in columns with the text currently in force at 25 September 2016 in the first column; and the pending amendments side-by-side in the second and third columns, enabling the reader to compare the current and future versions at a glance, in context.

For further ease of use, these changes are shown with provisions to be repealed or deleted in red font and struck through, provisions to be inserted in blue font and underlined, and editorial annotations in grey font [within square brackets].

The Act is then shown in a fully consolidated version, as it will appear once both Amendment Acts have commenced in full and all amendments have been effected.

• Comparative tables
  • Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965
  • Medicines and Related Substances Amendment Act 14 of 2015
  • Medicines and Related Substances Amendment Act 72 of 2008
• Consolidated Act as it would appear post-amendment

• Pharmacists and pharmacy owners
• Medicines Control Council
• South African Pharmacy Council
• Health Professions Council of South Africa
• Department of Health
• Medicines manufacturers
• Medical device manufacturers
• Allied health professionals
• Regulators