Medicines Bill approved

The new bill was endorsed by all parties except the Inkatha Freedom Party, who abstained. The clauses that would have allowed the controversial two-tier registration system were thrown out by Parliament's portfolio committee on health. The committee agreed that registration of medicines should be on scientific grounds only.

Under the new bill, the Minister of Health has no say in the registration of medicines, something with which the present minister, Tshabalala-Msimang, disagreed with. The bill also intends to replace the Medicines Control Council (MCC) with a new regulatory body.