CANNABIS
GROWTH IN SA HIGH TIMES
Cannabis industry booms as CBD is down-scheduled
SUPPLEMENT www.pharmacos.co.za
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
SUPPLEMENT
Good news for SA’s CBD industry
T
he biggest news to date in the complementary medicines and health supplements market is that CBD oil is now officially a SO product in South Africa. This is because the legal classification of cannabis, or Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has shifted significantly. Within days of the announcement by SAHPRA on the down-scheduling of CBD, a host of new cannabis consumables and CBDbased health supplements were launched by South African pharma manufacturers. This development has sparked the start of the cannabis industry boom in our country, bringing good news to the CBD trade, cannabis growers and hemp farmers, as well as consumers of this once illicit product. In the P&C Review July cannabis supplement, we explore the specifics of SAHPRA’s
announcement, looking closely at the amendments to the Medicines Act published on 22 May 2020. We also reveal the promising potential of cannabinoids that have been discovered by Sanobiotec; showcase Cannapure, Symrise’s synthetic and GMP-approved alternative to CBD; and we share the story of Grow Indoors, which utilised short-run digital labelling to effectively label its CBD and THC detection kits. Enjoy the read! Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Review Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Review SAPharmacos
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
@pharmacosreview
WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // CANNABIS GROW TH
3
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
CBD down-
scheduled to an SO product in SA
According to SAHPRA, in Government Notice No. 586, Government Gazette No. 43347, issued on 22 May 2020, the Minister of Health has amended the scheduling of CBD. By Abby Vorster
P
revious entries for cannabis, dronabinol, and tetrahydrocannabinol in Schedule 7 have been deleted. Cannabidiol (CBD) is listed in Schedule 4, except in: • complementary medicines containing no more than 600mg CBD per sales pack, providing a maximum daily dose of 20mg of CBD, and making a general health enhancement, health maintenance or relief of minor symptoms (i.e. low-risk) claim • processed products made from cannabis raw plant material intended for ingestion containing 0.0075% or less of cannabidiol
4
CANNABIS GROW TH // WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA
where only the naturally occurring quantity of cannabinoids found in the source material are contained in the product.
GOOD NEWS FOR CBD INDUSTRY The Health Products Association of Southern Africa (HPA) submitted a comprehensive down-scheduling application to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) on 24 April 2020 requesting hemp and CBD substances be added to the current annexures and health supplement lists for Category D Complementary Medicine and
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
Health Supplements, as per the Medicines and Related Substances Act 1965 (Act 101 of 1966). Since the application, CBD oil has been reviewed and is now officially a Category D, SO complementary medicine with relevant lowrisk claims. Daily dose and other restrictions are specified in the schedules. This latest development provides good news for the CBD trade, customers, cannabis growers and hemp farmers.
SCHEDULING CHANGES AND IMPLICATIONS The changes to the schedules have several implications. Firstly, the exclusion of certain CBD-containing products from Schedule 4 has been confirmed, but with important differences from the 2019 exclusion notice. When included as or part of a complementary medicine (Category D), not only are daily dose limits stipulated, but also maximum pack sizes. Secondly, cannabis as a plant is removed from Schedule 7. Instead, the psycho-active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is listed in Schedule 6, with specific exemptions made for industrial application of low-THC cannabis.
According to SAHPRA, to date no CBD- or THC-containing medicines have been registered by the authority. Access to cannabis-related products for medicinal purposes remains subject to the requirements of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, the Regulations and Schedules issued in terms of the Act, and the guidelines issued by the authority. • HPA – www.hpasa.co.za SAHPRA – www.sahpra.org.za
WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // CANNABIS GROW TH
5
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
The promising potential of cannabinoids Minor cannabinoids have a wide variety of health benefits. However, there’s little research on the topic due to the scarcity of minor cannabinoids in the hemp biomass and difficult extraction processes. Sanobiotec aims to improve the technological processes for production of these compounds while leveraging their therapeutic benefits for pharmaceuticals, the wellness industry and treatment of progressive illnesses, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.
L
ithuanian-based cannabinoid research company Sanobiotec is developing proprietary technological processes for production of minor cannabinoids. These are the naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. Preliminary research shows that due to their structural components, the extracted botanical compounds can be used for treating patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as anxiety, pain management and reducing inflammation. The major cannabinoids – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) – are the most prominent compounds in the cannabis industry and well-known for their health benefits. However, the range of cannabinoids extends far beyond these two substances. In comparison to THC and CBD, minor cannabinoids have a more targeted effect and can be utilised for specific purposes, ranging from analgesic to anti-inflammatory
6
CANNABIS GROW TH // WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA
and even an antiproliferative effect, which is the ability to prevent the spread of malignant cells.
PROGRESSIVE R&D YIELDS GREAT RESULTS Due to their medicinal and therapeutic properties, minor cannabinoids, such as cannabinol (CBN) and cannabichromene (CBC), can provide many health benefits and could be applicable in a variety of industries – such as pharmaceutical or wellness. However, the minuscule concentrations of these compounds in the cannabis plant make the extraction process immensely difficult. Sanobiotec has been working to improve the technological processes behind the production of CBN and CBC and the results look promising. “The purity of CBN and CBC isolates we have obtained is 99+%,” says Rytis Urbonas, director of technology development at Sanobiotec. “These are highly positive results, given the peculiarities of each process. Our aim was to produce compounds that could be easily
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
incorporated into custom formulations, which is exactly what we managed to achieve.” According to Urbonas, the interest in THC and CBD’s structural ‘siblings’ and their potential in cannabinoidbased drug development was a natural outcome of the company’s research and development activities. “We are well into the second year of our project, implemented in partnership with the National Cancer Institute in Lithuania. Currently, we are examining the potential of natural and novel synthetic cannabinoids for targeted cancer treatment based on their molecular mechanisms,” he states. “Further research will enable us to delve deeper into understanding the effects and properties of these compounds.”
Sanobiotec’s goal is to become a hub for cannabinoid research, development and production
GREAT POTENTIAL FOR NEW PHYTOCHEMICALS Sanobiotec aims to research and implement new techniques to produce minor cannabinoids, such as cannabidivarin (CBDV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and other compounds like Cannflavin A, with more efficiency. This will enable the company to produce cannabis compounds that had only been identified or were tricky to isolate due to their scarcity in the hemp biomass. According to Urbonas, there are already more than 100 cannabinoids identified, making the potential for new phytochemicals limitless. “Once the most promising compounds
are identified, we move rapidly. Our goal is to become a hub for cannabinoid research, development and production, so our team is determined to maintain the fast-paced development,” he adds. The upcoming research is a joint project with the Life Sciences Centre of Vilnius University and will explore the promising potential of cannabinoids in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. • Sanobiotec – sanobiotec.com
WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // CANNABIS GROW TH
7
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
Symrise presents a
reliable alternative to natural CBD
With Canapure, Symrise is setting new standards in the synthetic production of CBD. This nature-identical and especially pure cannabidiol is produced according to the quality standards of GMP.
O
riginally launched at CPhI Worldwide in November 2019, Canapure by Symrise is suitable for the same applications as natural cannabidiol (CBD). This is thanks to a production method developed to deliver a natureidentical cannabinoid, which Symrise expects will revolutionise the pharmaceutical industry. With Canapure (cannabidiol), the pharmaceutical industry now has access to a nature-identical, synthetically produced CBD that is both a valuable active pharmaceutical
8
CANNABIS GROW TH // WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA
ingredient and an intermediate product for the development of new substances. Scientific studies prove that the nature-identical active ingredient is identical to CBD derived from the cannabis plant. At the same time, the Symrise product achieves a purity level of 99.8%.
STUDY RESULTS CONFIRM MATCHING PROPERTIES Canapure is identical to natural CBD, which does not have psychoactive effects. It is said to have
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
relaxing and anticonvulsive, anti-inflammatory, anxietyrelieving and nausea-relieving effects. THC derivatives are not detectable in this synthetic active ingredient. A joint comparison study by the Universities of Madrid and Córdoba and specialised institutes in Spain and Germany confirms that analytics have found no significant difference in the biological value of purely natural CBD and natureidentical Canapure. In addition, an X-ray structure analysis by the Max Planck Institute proves that the absolute configuration of Canapure matches that of CBD. “With Canapure, we are offering a reliable alternative to natural CBD,” says Jörg Thilo Fischer, technical manager API at Symrise. “This product innovation is identical to natural CBD, of consistently high quality and purity and available all year round.”
"Scientific studies prove that the natureidentical active ingredient is identical to CBD derived from the cannabis plant“
Did you know? Terpenes are among the most widely occurring molecules in various plants and are present in large quantities in conifers and citrus fruit. Terpenes and terpene-based products are used in flavours, fragrances, essential oils for aromatherapy and natural remedies.
ACTIVE INGREDIENT BASED ON D-LIMONENE In the production of Canapure, Symrise uses its expertise as the world’s leading expert for fragrances and flavourings made from terpenes. D-limonene, the basis for the active ingredient, belongs to the group of terpenes. This renewable raw material is a by-product of the orange juice market. It comes from the peels of the fruit. Symrise converts the D-limonene to menthadienol, which is ultimately used to produce Canapure. Symrise has developed the synthetic CBD according to the guidelines of good manufacturing practice (GMP) for active ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry. Accordingly, both the source materials and Canapure are produced under GMP conditions. This means that the processes comply with the particularly strict requirements for all manufacturing practices such as materials, equipment and hygiene. “During production, we place great importance on sustainability and GMP-compliant quality management,” Fischer comments. “In this way, we conserve resources while meeting the high demands of our customers.” •
Symrise – www.symrise.com
WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // CANNABIS GROW TH
9
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
New cannabis rules announced The legal classification of cannabis, or THC, has shifted significantly. Neil Kirby, director: healthcare and life sciences law at Werksmans Attorneys, takes a closer look at the amendments to the Medicines Act published on 22 May 2020.
C
annabidiol is a Schedule 4 substance. However, cannabidiol is a Schedule 0 substance when the following criteria
are met: • it’s contained a complementary medicine as that term is legally defined in the General Regulations to the Medicines Act (GNR 859, dated 25 August 2017) • the complementary medicine contains no more than 600mg cannabidiol
‘per sales pack’, providing a maximum daily dose of 20mg of cannabidiol • making a general ‘health enhancement, health maintenance or relief of minor symptoms (i.e. low-risk) claim’, none of which is defined in the amendment or the Medicines Act • processed products made from ‘cannabis raw plant material’ for ingestion containing 0.0075% or less cannabidiol ‘where only naturally occurring quantity of cannabinoids found in the source material are contained in the product’.
THC DOWN-SCHEDULED Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is now a Schedule 6 substance having been moved from Schedule 7 by the amendments. However, the classification does not apply to the following products and circumstances: • in raw plant material and processed products when intended for industrial purposes and not
"There remains much to do in addressing complementary medicines and their registration“ 10
CANNABIS GROW TH // WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
for human or animal consumption and contains 0.2% or less of THC • processed products made from cannabis containing 0.001% or less of THC • when raw plant material is ‘cultivated, possessed and consumed by an adult, in private for personal consumption’.
A LOOK AT SCHEDULING For purposes of the amendments, Schedule 4 substances are controlled and their possession and use are restricted to certain healthcare professionals as identified in section 22A(5) of the Medicines Act. These include pharmacists, manufacturers, medical practitioners, practitioners and nurses. Schedule 0 substances are readily available to consumers directly off the shelf in supermarkets and health shops. In contrast, Schedule 6 substances, albeit that they are treated equally to those in Schedules 2, 3, 4 and 5 – in terms of section 22A(6)(i)(i) – may not be repeated unless a new prescription is obtained and, in terms of section 22A(6)(j), shall only be available in an emergency in controlled circumstances and only in the smallest possible unit sales pack available. Other restrictions also apply to Schedule 6 substances. Substances that appear in Schedule 7 require a permit for acquisition, use, possession, manufacture or supply.
CAMs STILL IN NEED OF ATTENTION The amendments now create an environment where cannabidiol may be present in complementary medicines or processed products, which arguably are not medicinal in nature, where 0.0075% or less of cannabidiol is present and ‘where only the naturally occurring
quantity of cannabinoids found in the source material are contained in the product’. Whilst the easing of the regulatory environment is evident, there remains much to do in addressing complementary medicines and their registration in terms of the Medicines Act. In addition, the amendments arguably align the Schedules with the pronouncements by the Constitutional Court [in Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and others v Prince (Clarke and Others Intervening); National Director of Public Prosecutions and Others v Rubin; National Director of Public Prosecutions and Others v Acton 2018 (10) BCLR 1220 (CC)] concerning the personal use of cannabis by an adult in private with the change of THC from Schedule 7 to Schedule 6 and the provisos now included in Schedule 6 to the use and possession of THC. The amendments may indeed be welcomed by some and derided by others. There are various terms that will require clarification in order to understand the scope and ambit of the amendments, especially with reference to cannabidiol; ‘general health enhancement, health maintenance or relief of minor symptoms (low-risk) claims’; as well as the effects of the use of conjunctive ‘and’ – in respect of THC – in ‘cultivated, possessed and consumed’. Whether or not the continued fall through the Schedules by cannabidiol and THC is to be maintained remains to be seen. However, based on the now direct connection between cannabidiol and complementary medicines, one would expect an increase in product development in South Africa. • Werksmans Attorneys – www.werksmans.com
WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // CANNABIS GROW TH
11
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
Short-run digital labelling to the rescue
Grow Indoors, a supplier of hydroponic equipment, was approached by Label Smart to share an account of how short-run digital label printing impacted its small business at a critical time. This is Lindo Mthiyane of Grow Indoors’ story.
A
lthough Grow Indoors initially specialised in LED grow light and water purification for plant growth, when the cannabis legislation changed, it began offering health supplements based on CBD. Since legislation has changed, the company’s target market has grown considerably to include the cannabis community. With this in mind, Grow Indoors booked a stand at the Cannabis Expo 2019, which took place at Sandton Convention Centre. The aim
The kits from Grow Indoors neatly packaged and finished with professional labels from Label Smart
12
CANNABIS GROW TH // WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA
was to showcase its products and to launch something new – CBD and THC detection kits for growers.
THE PRIMARY PROBLEM Grow Indoors invested in importing enough raw materials for a few hundred of these kits, which needed to be packaged locally. Needing a variety of product labels with just a few hundred of each one in time for the exhibition, turned out to be more of a problem than the company realised. The team tried signage companies to print and
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
"Label Smart was able to turnaround the highquality labels quickly because the company runs digital label presses from OKI“
cut its labels on digital machines designed for making signs, but the small text was blurry, and the quality wasn’t what Grow Indoors needed. The signage companies also couldn’t offer paper-based or chemically resistant labels.
ANOTHER CHALLENGE Traditional label companies weren’t interested in small runs of a few hundred labels. They would only take on the job if Grow Indoors increased the order to 5 000 labels. But this would impact on the deadline as the expo was only two weeks away and the team still had to package the product. Analogue printing systems can’t meet tight deadlines because it takes time to create flexographic plates. Grow Indoors was distraught – preparations and bookings for the exhibition stand had cost the team a fortune and now it seemed the leading showcase product wouldn’t be ready in time. This was potentially enough to sink the fledgling business if it couldn’t be solved.
FINDING A SOLUTION Grow Indoors came across Label Smart on Facebook. The printing company was running a Facebook advert saying that it specialised in ‘short-run label production’. After trying many options without success, the desperate Grow Indoors team gave Label Smart a call. Grow Indoors met with Label Smart and received a quote for the job which they accepted. Within an hour, they received colour proofs to sign off and were able to complete the order within two days. The labels for the solvent bottles were produced in full colour and were chemically resistant; even the tiniest text was perfectly crisp and clear. They also had a paper-
based label printed for tamper-evident seals – these make it difficult to tamper with the product yet easy enough to open the packaging once the product has been purchased. A third semi-gloss label was produced for use as a brand reinforcement sticker inside the package. Label Smart was able to turnaround the highquality labels quickly because the company runs digital label presses from OKI which are designed for short-run label production. Thanks to their special cutters, Label Smart also produces labels in any shapes and sizes without the need for dies. Grow Indoors will definitely be designing more interesting labels for future projects now that the team knows this can be done. “As a small manufacturer, I am grateful that we found Label Smart,” Mthiyane comments. “However, I do wish it was easier to find label printers that can produce high-quality fullcolour labels in smaller quantities at a decent quality and price. Label Smart really helped us out of a tight spot, and we will continue to support and recommend them to other small and medium-sized businesses struggling to find labels in limited quantities.” • Grow Indoors – www.growindoors.co.za Label Smart – www.labelsmart.co.za NSI 4 Africa – www.nsi4africa.com
WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // CANNABIS GROW TH
13
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
It’s high time we took cannabis
seriously
Cindy Naidoo of LexisNexis South Africa looks at certain implications stemming from the legalisation of cannabis and how international trends in decriminalising this and other substances are filtering through to South Africa.
T
he recent Constitutional Court ruling in the matter of Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and others v Prince and others [2018] JOL 40399 (CC) (the Prince matter) was welcomed by many South Africans. The highest court in the land held that sections 22(A)(9)(a)(i) & 22A (10) of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act 101 of 1965 (the Medicines Act), and sections 4(6) and 5(b) of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992, limited the constitutional right to privacy, inter alia, “… only to the extent that they prohibit the use of cannabis by an adult in private dwellings where the
14
CANNABIS GROW TH
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
employee who was dismissed immediately. The remaining three employees brought the present application in the CCMA after having been charged with being ‘under the influence of intoxicating substances whilst on duty’. possession, purchase or cultivation of cannabis is for personal consumption by an adult”. A few days after this judgment, a CCMA ruling in the matter of Mthembu and others / NCT Durban Wood Chips [2019] 4 BALR 369 (CCMA) was handed down. In this matter, several employees were dismissed for misconduct in the form of the consumption of drugs, specifically cannabis. Despite having had knowledge of and signing the company’s substance abuse policy, which had been in place since 2016, there were initially eight employees who tested positive for cannabis during a substance test in 2017. Further lab tests revealed that only four of these employees actually tested positive for cannabis, one of whom was a casual
EXPLORING LEGAL GUIDELINES Following a disciplinary hearing conducted by the respondent, which resulted in their dismissal, the three aforementioned employees challenged the fairness of their dismissal. The CCMA Commissioner had to decide whether dismissal for misconduct of the applicants was substantively fair. Guidelines for a decision of this nature are provided in item 7 of Schedule 8 of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 as follows: • guidelines in cases of dismissal for misconduct – any person who is determining whether a dismissal for misconduct is unfair should consider CONTINUED ...
WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // CANNABIS GROW TH
15
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
a. whether or not the employee contravened a rule or standard regulating conduct in, or of relevance to, the workplace b. if a rule or standard was contravened, whether or not i. the rule was a valid or reasonable rule or standard ii. the employee was aware, or could reasonably be expected to have been aware, of the rule or standard iii. the rule or standard has been consistently applied by the employer iv. dismissal with an appropriate sanction for the contravention of the rule or standard.
A QUESTION OF HIGH RISK The applicants, who worked for the respondent, a wood and chip factory, were exposed to large machines and vehicles. The first applicant was employed as a weigh bridge clerk. His duties involved the inspection of large vehicles as well as being exposed to traffic. Applicant number two was responsible for the sharpening and polishing of knives and the third applicant was employed as a log deck assistant whose main function was to ensure that logs, weighing up to a maximum of 100kg, landed correctly on the main floor area. The description of each of these duties emphasises the importance of the incumbents being alert and being able to think and react quickly and smartly, should an emergency arise. This was confirmed in evidence given by Lenny Naidoo, who stated that their workplace “is dangerous with heavy machinery”. In their evidence, all three applicants testified that they were told that they could not smoke 16
CANNABIS GROW TH // WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA
Psylocibin mushrooms growing in magic mushroom breads
cannabis at work, and that they had complied with this – they had not smoked the substance at work. They had smoked it at home or privately. Although the applicants did not seem to agree that their duties were as high risk as they were made out to be, it was found that considering the type of operations conducted by their employer, the respondent, it was reasonable to forbid employees from attending to their duties whilst being under the influence of cannabis. The commissioner found that the applicants had shown no genuine remorse for their actions. “It was a hollow apology with no commitment to not repeating the offence.” The dismissal of the applicants was found to be substantively fair.
DEVELOPMENTS IN LEGISLATION I think it is safe to say that the Constitutional Court ruling in the Prince matter has given rise
CAMs & HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
to many theories, fears and not to mention, business plans, revolving around cannabis. At the recent South African Association of Hospital and Institutional Pharmacists (SAAHIP) conference in Pretoria, we learned that in April 2019, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) announced that the first three licences permitting the sale of medicinal cannabis would be issued. We are likely to see many more of these, as a result of its backlog project. We were also reminded by Andy Gray that the Medical Innovation Bill, which was aimed at giving the public access to medicinal cannabis, had been rejected. Some may say that SA has followed international trends in legalising the use of cannabis, and, if this really is the case, what’s next on the list? Well, magic mushrooms seem to be the next contender. The Western Cape High Court has already heard an application to make the possession and use of magic mushrooms (Psilocybin mushroom) legal. A Constitutional Court matter relating to the decriminalisation of the Psilocybin mushroom is also said to be on the horizon, whilst according to a CNN report dated 5 June 2019 and a report by US News, dated 9 May 2019, the cities of Oakland (California, US) and Denver (Colorado,
US) have both already decriminalised the use of magic mushrooms (i.e. law enforcement cannot impose criminal penalties for the use of this drug). If this is just the beginning of a new international trend, then it’s definitely time to take cannabis seriously. This article was first published in the South African Pharmaceutical Journal. •
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cindy Naidoo Cindy Naidoo (BA) (LLB), content manager: property, corporate and commercial, pharmaceutical and health, forms and precedents and new business and content development: LexisNexis South Africa.
REFERENCES: 1. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and others v Prince and others [2018] JOL 40399 (CC) 2. Prince v Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and others and related matters [2017] 2 All SA 864 (WCC)) 3. Mthembu and others / NCT Durban Wood Chips [2019] 4 BALR 369 (CCMA) 4. Item 7, Schedule 8, Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995. 5. Online Article: Denver becomes first city to decriminalize “Magic Mushrooms”. Hansen, C. [https://www.usnews. com/news/national-news/articles/2019-05-09/ denverbecomes-first-city-to-decriminalize-magicmushrooms-in-narrow-vote], viewed on 2 July 2019
"SA has followed international trends in legalising the use of cannabis”
6. Online Article: Oakland residents won’t be busted for using “Magic Mushrooms” and other psychedelic drugs. Asmelash, L & Ahmed, S. CNN. [https://edition.cnn. com/2019/06/05/health/oakland-decriminalizes-magicmushrooms-trnd/index.html], viewed on 2 July 2019.
LexisNexis South Africa – www.lexisnexis.co.za
WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // CANNABIS GROW TH
17
NEWS
innovates in complementary healthcare
I
nzpire Health was established in 2013 by Niel Dass on the backbone of strategy, brand
and leadership foresight. Dass’s vision was to share his extensive grassroots knowledge, from being an aspiring, bluecollar factory worker to a successful managing director, with teams from multinational pharmaceutical and health industries.
18
CANNABIS GROW TH // WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA
In 2020, Wayne Robinson brought his vast operations, pharmaceutical, regulatory and complementary medicine knowledge to the team. Robinson is an active participant in the purchase, development and promotion of health, pharmaceutical and complementary medicine product brands. Together with Chris Mandos, a leader in advertising and brand
NEWS
Environ supports COVID-19 frontline workers The award-winning South African skin care brand has donated over R1mn worth of skin care products to doctors and nurses at six hospitals in Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal, to help soothe and restore skin sensitised by long hours of wearing a mask. Environ acknowledges the immense daily assault on skin as a result of the masks that the doctors and nurses are wearing. By gifting them skin care boosters, Environ wanted to show support and care as well as lift morale for healthcare workers who are making daily sacrifices. The donations went to doctors and nurses working at the Hospital of Hope, a special COVID-19 field hospital established at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, as well as to doctors and nurses at various hospitals in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. At the Hospital of Hope, CTICC, the donations were handed over by Dr Des
Fernandes, Environ’s founder and scientific director, and his sister Val Carstens, Environ’s group chairman, director and CEO. “My overwhelming impression on visiting the Hospital of Hope was the cheerful dedication of the staff to helping our people get through this unusual time,” says Dr Fernandes. Doctors working to treat those affected by the global pandemic have had to make overwhelming sacrifices – many are unable to see their families, for fear of spreading the infection, and many are at high risk of contracting the virus themselves. Added to this is the toll that long hours and gruelling work take on these frontline workers. “We were delighted to meet those who care for us. We hope we make a difference to their skin as much as they make a difference to people’s lives in their care,” adds Carstens.
development, they have Products Regulatory Frontline workers at Melomed, Mitchells Plain, expanded into the following Authority and manufactured in the Western Cape, celebrating their gifts from Environ three tiers of Inzpire Health: in a GMP licenced facility. 1. Commercial Health Endeavouring to facilitate 2. Brand Health the maintenance and 3. Regulatory Health. promotion of good health, Following a sabbatical thecompliant team recently released Inzpire Health was established in 2013 leader in advertising and with the regulations by Niel Dass on the backbone of strategy, brand development, they of the South African Health to brand Nepal and reaching Inzpire Gen Immune and leadership foresight. Dass’s have expanded into the Products Regulatory Authority vision was to share his extensive andThis manufactured in a GMPEverest base camp, Dass grassroots following three tiers of CDZ. specialised knowledge, from being an aspiring, blueInzpire Health: licenced facility. was inspired to develop product containsto afacilitate unique collar factory worker to a successful 1. Commercial Health Endeavouring managing director, with teams from 2. Brand Health the maintenance and Inzpire’s Cannabidiol (CBD) combination of vitamins C, multinational pharmaceutical and 3. Regulatory Health. promotion of good health, health industries. Following a sabbatical the team product range, Cee Be Do. D and zincrecently to helpreleased combat In 2020, Wayne Robinson brought his to Nepal and reaching Inzpire Gen Immune CDZ. This The range promotes the regulatory Everest base camp, Dass colds and flu, promoting vast operations, pharmaceutical, specialised product contains a and complementary medicine knowledge was inspired to develop unique combination of vitamins ability to ‘Cee-more, Begood health and immunity. to the team. Robinson is an active Inzpire’s Cannabidiol (CBD) C, D and zinc to help combat colds participant in the purchase, development product range, Cee Be andmore flu, promoting goodservice health more and Domore’. The For Inzpired and promotion of health, pharmaceutical Do. The range promotes and immunity.For more Inzpired high-quality CBDmedicine products are compliant with and product visit www.inzpire.co.za and complementary product the ability to ‘Cee-more, Be-more and Do- information, service and product information, visit brands. Together with Chris Mandos, a more’. The high-quality CBD products are www.inzpire.co.za or www.ceebedo.co.za the regulations of the South African Health or www.ceebedo.co.za
innovates in complementary healthcare
WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // AUGUST 2020 WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // CANNABIS GROW TH
7 19
ADVERTISERS' INDEX V&M Analytical Toxicology Laboratory Services.............................. 2........www.vm-atls.com
To advertise in
Chem-Science Laboratories .............. 5........www.chemsciencelaboratories.com CanbiGold.................................................. 5........www.canbigold.com
Anita Raath Sales executive
+27 (0)82 976 6541
Carla Melless Sales executive
+27 (0)83 260 6060
Càndida Giambò-Kruger Sales executive
+27 (0)71 438 1918 www.pharmacos.co.za
New Media, a division of Media24 (PTY) Ltd.
Make quality and regulatory compliance a breeze.
RegXcellence™
Find the quality and regulatory information you need with a document library, filing assistance and global or country-specific compliance support. Fulfill your compliance needs quickly with RegXcellence™. Find more information about BASF’s newly launched Virtual Pharma Assistants. Your can now register for free on https://info-mypharma.basf.com
