1 April, 2017. The SAHPRA mandate has been extended to
include the regulation of CAMs.
The lack of a specific definition of CAMs could,
however, result in 'some controversy', says Fels.
underground.'
Fels stresses that the HPA has been requesting
regulations for more than 30 years, but insists that
these need to be CAMs-appropriate, fair and transparent.
'The DoH had inserted a definition of CAMs into
Applying allopathic standards to dietary and natural
the draft Amendment Bill which was passed on to the
health supplements is, he says, 'like applying airbus rules
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health,' he adds.
to bicycles'.
'But, just prior to this Bill being signed into law, the CAMs
'Ideally, CAMs should have its own directorate/registrar
definition was removed. We are still waiting for the final
and this is what we intend to fight for under SAHPRA,' he
CAMs Regulations, containing a revised definition of CAMs.'
concludes.
According to Fels there are two conflicting views relating
It is now an open question as to whether the
to the anticipated publication of the CAMs regulations. One
government, and in specific the bureaucrats in the DoH
view is that any CAMs regulations published would once
who have been driving the 'CAMs and TAMs are the same
again be ultra vires and unconstitutional, as Act 101 is
as medical drugs agenda', see that not only is their new
now devoid of a definition of CAMs, thus removing the
law fatally flawed, but that they are also destroying a
legislative basis for CAMs regulations.
once-thriving domestic and job-creating industry, as well
be ready for a full-blooded fight if you are one of those who
believes it is your right, and not that of the government,
to decide on what medicines, or supplements or herbs or
whatever else you choose, to put in your body
This is the view held by the TNHA, the African
Traditional Healers' leadership with whom Odyssey
Magazine has spoken, representing over half of all
registered traditional healers, and many independent
players in the SA CAMs industry.
The other view, says Fels, could claim that the
definition of a medicine in the Act is all-embracing and
sufficiently broad to include CAMs – thus empowering
the M