The theme for the 58th Annual Conference of the South African Society for Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (SASBCP), ‘Pharmacology Underpinning Medicines for Africa’, set the tone for critical deliberations by international delegates in Durban this September.
The three-day event was hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Division of Pharmacology which forms part of the Discipline of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
SASBCP President, Professor Mmamosheledi Mothibe, said the conference theme described the era we are in, expressing the important role they needed to play as pharmacologists in their diverse areas of research.
“Now more than ever, the world community is aware of the need for research and clinical data which is African-based, and which reflects the African context,” said Mothibe. “What solutions and interventions do we as African researchers present for current world health challenges? As SASBCP, we intend to forge ahead and serve a platform that will enable the African pharmacology voice to be heard.”
Providing a platform for emerging and established researchers as well as educators to share ideas and establish collaboration, SASBCP2025 highlighted the urgent need for Africa to produce its own medicines – not only to ease the continent’s overwhelming HIV, TB, maternal, perinatal, nutritional, communicable and non-communicable disease burden, but also to tackle heavy reliance on global aid.
UKZN drug expert, Dr Andy Gray, a senior lecturer in Pharmaceutical Sciences, delivered a stimulating presentation titled: ‘Medicines for Africa – A Continental Imperative in an Uncertain World’. Gray noted that the global pharmaceutical market is geared for efficiency and profitability, but not necessarily equity. He reflected on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing instability, and the need for such conferences to strengthen local industry through cutting-edge research and collaboration.
Also sharing key insights were Professor Pieter van Wyk from the Division of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Sefako Makgatho University, as well as Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela from South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). “As always, young pharmacologists remain at the heart and soul of the SASBCP2025,” said Chairperson of SASBCP2025’s Local Organising Committee and Coordinator in the Division of Pharmacology and Head of Pharmacy, Rev Dr Lehlohonolo J Mathibe.
Eminent keynote speakers included Professor Petro Terblanche, Chief Executive Officer of Afrigen Biologics (Pty) Ltd based in Cape Town – an end-to-end research, development and manufacturing entity and hosts the World Health Organization’s Global mRNA technology development and transfer Hub. Since 2002, she has played a key role in designing and implementing South Africa’s biotechnology strategy. Her presentation focused on the value of RNA technology platforms and product innovation for global disease priorities, including antimicrobial resistance, rare diseases, immunotherapy, and vaccines for neglected diseases – while addressing the misconceptions that hinder the adoption of this impactful tool for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
World-renowned Professor Patrick Ogwang, Chair of the Department of Pharmacy at Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Managing Director of Jena Herbals Limited in Kampala, Uganda, questioned: “In many African countries, South Africa and Uganda inclusive scientists have conducted and published thousands upon thousands of ethnobotanical surveys, phytochemical compounds, and pharmacological studies of various medicinal plants used by traditional health practitioners. However, there is no inkling of a powerful natural molecule from Africa to the world, and in African hospitals and pharmacies, more than 90% of medicines are not products from African Traditional Medicine but imported allopathic products. What are we not doing right?” He lobbied for building collaborations in order to move African traditional medicines from just published papers and dissertations to highly effective medicines utilised in modern healthcare systems.
SASBCP2025’s executive sponsor was the non-governmental organisation, Health Systems Trust (HST), which delivered a presentation on the crucial role of health systems strengthening in supporting the Department of Health. The presentation highlighted initiatives such as the Centralised Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme, which improves access to chronic medicines for stable patients by reducing refill visits, easing congestion at health facilities, lowering transport costs, and allowing staff to focus on patients who require acute care or ongoing monitoring.
UKZN’s College of Health Sciences Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head, Professor Busi Ncama, said: “This gathering comes at a pivotal moment for global health, where rapid changes demand bold, innovative, and collaborative approaches in the field of pharmacology that is also locally relevant and impactful.
At UKZN, we take pride in being a research-intensive university with a strong focus on producing knowledge that makes a real difference to society. Over the years, we have consistently ranked among South Africa’s top five research-led universities, often taking the lead.”
Ncama congratulated all the award winners and commended the Local Organising Committee for a highly successful event that was both patient-centred and forward-thinking in its focus on herbal medicines and African pharmacology.
The Young Pharmacologist Awards in the Basic Pharmacology category went to Ms Charne Dixon (Stellenbosch University, first place), Ms Nelisiwe Mshayise (second place, Stellenbosch University), and Ms Kaylene Pillay (University of Pretoria, third place). Ms Antolize Deetlefs (University of Pretoria) won first place for her poster presentation.
In the Clinical Pharmacology category, Stellenbosch University’s Mr Jakob Holm, Mr Luthando Tiya, and Mr Alvin Karani won first, second, and third place respectively. The Best Publication Award went to Professor Christiaan Brink from North-West University for a study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology, which reported that the erectile dysfunction drug Sildenafil – alone and in combination with imipramine or escitalopram – displayed antidepressant-like effects in an ACTH-induced rodent model of treatment-resistant depression.
Mathibe expressed gratitude to the School of Health Sciences, the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, HST, the National Bioproducts Institute, AEC Amersham, Inqaba Biotec, Anatech, Standard Bank, and UKZN alumna Mrs Trisha Rangini Chetty for their generous financial support.
The conference concluded with a gala dinner held at Durban’s ICC. The 59th SASBCP Annual Conference will take place at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, hosted by Professor Motlalepula Gilbert Matsabisa from the Department of Pharmacology.
