Complaint

Complaint number
NTB-001-191  
NTB Type
1.15. Other  
Complaint
I am writing on behalf of Mind Health, a Lesotho-registered company actively engaged in the research and development of medicinal products. We are currently collaborating with the University of the Free State (UFS) in South Africa to conduct studies on one of our products. This relationship is critical for advancing our work in the medicinal sector, a key area of growth for Lesotho.

However, we have encountered significant challenges due to the implementation of Section 4.8 of the Guideline for the Importation and Exportation of Medicines (Regulatory Compliance Unit) by SAHPRA. The guideline requires the use of specific ports of entry, namely Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and OR Tambo International Airport, for the export of medicines. Consequently, we are prohibited from using more practical and geographically closer border posts such as the Maseru Bridge or Ficksburg Bridge.

Given Lesotho's landlocked nature and the fact that the University of the Free State is only 227 km from our facility, this regulation has drastically inflated the cost of exporting small quantities of medicinal samples. For instance, we are now compelled to fly samples from Maseru to OR Tambo, have them cleared by customs, and then transport them by road back to the university—a total of 424 km. What would have cost us a few hundred rand using nearby border posts now costs several thousand rand. Additionally, this significantly increases shipment times, delaying our research and impacting the efficiency of our studies.  
Progress update note
 
Policy or regulatory NTB
No 
Location
South Africa: Ficksburg Bridge (Border post)  
Reporting Country or Region
Lesotho  
Country specific trade issue
No  
Date of incident
2024-05-20  
Status
New  
Product Description
Psilocybin Extract Powder


 
Total value
R4 541.00  
Date reported
2024-09-26 12:40  
Modified
2024-09-26 12:40  

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