The Standing Committee on Finance and Portfolio Committee on Health invite you to submit written submissions on the Taxation of Sugar Sweetened Beverages.
The Minister of Finance announced in the February 2016 Budget a decision to introduce a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) with effect from 1 April 2017 to help reduce excessive sugar intake. This announcement came against the backdrop of a growing global concern regarding obesity stemming from the overconsumption of sugar. Obesity is a global epidemic and a major risk factor linked to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancers. NCDs are the leading causes of mortality globally, resulting in more deaths than all other causes combined, and the world’s low and middle-income populations are the most affected. The problem of obesity has grown over the past 30 years in South Africa resulting in the country being ranked the most obese country in sub-Saharan Africa.
Public hearings will be conducted at Parliament on Tuesday, 31 January 2017.
Submissions and any interest in making oral presentation must be received by no later than 12:00 on Friday, 27 January 2017.
Comments can be emailed to Mr Allen Wicomb at [email protected] by no later than 12:00 on Friday,27 January 2017.
Enquiries can be directed to Mr Allen Wicomb on tel. (021) 403-3759.
Issued by Hon. YI Carrim, MP, Chairperson: Standing Committee on Finance (National Assembly).
For a step by step guide on how to write a submission: Click Here
The Council for Medial Aid Schemes (CMS) is looking for comment on the prescribed minimum benefits. This links to South Africas National Health Insurance as well as Universal Health Coverage in its outcomes. CMS are calling for comment and it should not be forgotten that patients should be involved in this process. As it affects them the patients in the outcomes of this process.
Section 6 listed below.
Written By: Giulia Paravicini
Original Content For PoliticoPro
Britain’s competition watchdog has fined drug companies Pfizer and Flynn Pharma a total of almost £90 million for overcharging the National Health Service (NHS) for an epilepsy drug and ordered the medication’s price be reduced.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the pharma giants’ 2,600 percent overnight price hike for the phenytoin sodium capsules, used to treat epilepsy, occurred after the drug was deliberately de-branded, or “genericized,” meaning it was no longer subject to price regulation. As a result NHS spending on the drug rose from £2 million (R34.6 million) a year in 2012 to about £50 million (R866 million) in 2013.
Pfizer was slapped with a record £84.2 million fine (R1.45 billion), while distributer Flynn must pay £5.2 million (R90 million).
“The companies deliberately exploited the opportunity offered by de-branding to hike up the price for a drug which is relied upon by many thousands of patients,” said Philip Marsden, chairman of the case decision group for the CMA’s investigation, adding that U.K. prices were many times higher than the rest of the EU.
In a statement, Pfizer denied it had done anything wrong, saying it believed it “fully complies with established competition law” and will appeal the decision.
The drugs giant said the increased price of the drug was still 25 to 40 percent below the cost of an equivalent medicine by another NHS supplier.
The CMA is currently undertaking four other investigations into the pharmaceutical sector. In February the watchdog fined several drugmakers a total of £45 million (R779 million) for anti-competitive agreements and conduct in relation to the supply of anti-depressant drug paroxetine.
Original Content from Bhekisisa
A new study argues a teacher’s health habits could influence pupils’choices.
Almost 80% of Western Cape primary school teachers could be overweight or obese, according to results from a study published recently in the BioMedCentral Public Health journal. Researchers argue that this could be trouble for pupils.
The study measured weight as well as blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels among 517 educators in 83 schools. University of Cape Town (UCT) researchers found that almost 80% of all teachers were overweight or obese. A third of the teachers had high blood pressure and about 12% had diabetes or high cholesterol.
The research defined overweight as a weight-to-height ratio, known as body mass index, greater than or equal to 25, but lower than 30, whereas the ratio for obesity is considered higher than 30.
Overweight and obesity rates among teachers in the study were almost twice as high as those found among adults in the 2012 South African Nutrition and Health Survey.
Western Cape teachers who were female, older or lived in urban areas were more likely to be overweight and obese, according to the UCT study.
Several studies have found that overweight people are more likely to get cancer, diabetes or suffer from heart disease. According to 2014 research commissioned by the treasury, overweight and obesity are a huge burden on South Africa’s healthcare and the economy, in terms of sickness, underproductivity and higher operating costs, says the study.
Mugwena Maluleke, secretary general of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), has blamed teachers’ poor health on a shift away from physical education in schools and an increase in administrative work.
“We should be concerned [about the health of educators] because they are the nation builders and they impart knowledge and skills to the future of our country,” he explains.
South Africa’s 2012 nutritional survey found that almost 20% of children aged two to nine were also overweight and obese. UCT researchers argue that improving the health of teachers may improve the health of pupils.
UCT researchers suggest wellness campaigns and healthier food options at schools to help teachers get fit. Sadtu is trying to encourage teachers to get active with dedicated sports days and proposed wellness campaigns run with the Government Employees Medical Scheme and the sports department, Maluleke says.
This could be good news for pupils.
In the study, researchers say: “There is no doubt that educators play an important role in health promotion. Improving the health of educators also improves their effectiveness as role models. Students are more likely to eat healthier foods if their educators are of normal weight and are regularly seen to eat healthy foods.”
