PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP
Writer: Silusapho Nyanda
Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela: Making medicine count C
hief Executive Of-
coronavirus (COVID-19)
and respond to any
ficer of the South
response.
disruptions or medicine
African Health
As an entity of the
Products Regulatory
National Department of
Authority (SAHPRA) Boitu-
Health (NDOH), SAH-
melo Semete-Makokotlela
properly managed. Semete-Makokotlela
and medical equipment
says SAHPRA must ensure
shortages.
that all health products
It is also playing an
used in the fight against
PRA is working with the
active role in efforts to
COVID-19 are regulated.
had a baptism by fire
department and industry
develop a vaccine for
when she assumed office
role-players to actively
the coronavirus disease,
Rigorous review
in January.
monitor the potential
working alongside the
Before South Africa’s
impact of the pandemic
NDOH and its partners,
first COVID-19 vaccine
in the last quarter of a
which include research
clinical trial began at
financial year, but had to
institutes and health
the University of the
start the 2020/21 finan-
companies.
Witwatersrand in June,
She not only arrived
cial year dealing with a global pandemic.
With SAHPRA’s core
SAHPRA subjected it to a
mandate being the regu-
rigorous review process. It
With experience in
lation of all health prod-
is SAHPRA’s duty, she em-
the health technology
ucts, clinical trials, com-
phasises, to ensure trials
innovation sector and a
plementary medicines,
are within the bounds of
strong research and de-
medical devices and in
safety, meet the required
velopment background,
vitro diagnostics,
treatment standards and
the 41-year-old has led the organisa-
it contributes signifi-
are done correctly. During the COVID-19
tion in its efforts
cantly to
pandemic, SAHPRA is
to strengthen
ensuring
working closely with other
South Africa's
that the
regulators such as the
nation’s
Food and Drug Admin-
pan-
istration in the United
demic
States of America, the
Boitumelo Semete -Makokotlela is the CEO of the South African Health Products Regulator y Authorit y.
response is
World Health Organisation, the European Medicines
22
Public Sector Manager • August 2020
