Court Ruling on Pharmacists Prescribing HIV Medication
Pharmacists in South Africa are now allowed to prescribe and manage HIV medication following a court victory.
The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal from the Independent Practitioners Association Foundation, a group of private doctors, on October 9, 2025.
The court ruled that the South African Pharmacy Council acted lawfully when it approved the Pharmacist-Initiated Management of Antiretroviral Therapy programme.
The case began when the IPA argued that the SAPC overstepped its authority by expanding pharmacists' roles to include initiating HIV treatment.
- The IPA claimed the move was irrational and procedurally unfair.
- The court rejected the appeal, finding that the SAPC followed due process when it opened the proposal for public comment in 2021.
Author's summary: Court allows pharmacists to prescribe HIV meds.