A bill that aims to establish a new regulatory agency for medicines was passed in Parliament on Tuesday.
The medicines and related substances amendment bill was passed in the National Assembly with the support of all the parties, except the Economic Freedom Fighters.
The bill means the Department of Health can replace the under-resourced Medicines Control Council with the South African Health Products Regulatory Agency.
Calling the bill progressive and necessary, the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Congress of the People and the National Freedom Front all expressed their support, with parties calling for the new regulatory agency to be properly resourced so it could do its work.
The bill will now be sent to President Jacob Zuma.