To provide for the registration of medicines and related substances intended for human and for animal use; to provide for the establishment of a Medicines Control Council; to provide that such council shall be a juristic person; to make other provision for the constitution of the council; to provide that a member of the council or committee shall declare his or her commercial interest related to the pharmaceutical or health care industry; to provide that the appointment of members of the executive committee is subject to the approval of the Minister; to provide for the control of medicines and scheduled substances and medical devices; to make further provision for the prohibition on the sale of medicines which are subject to registration and are not registered; to provide for procedures that will expedite the registration of essential medicines, and for the reevaluation of all medicines after five years; to provide, for measures for the supply of more affordable medicines in certain circumstances; to provide that labels be approved by the council; to prohibit sampling and bonusing of medicines; to provide for the licensing of certain persons to compound, dispense or manufacture medicines and medical devices and also to act as wholesalers or distributors; to provide for the generic substitution of medicines; to provide for the establishment of a pricing committee; to regulate the purchase and sale of medicines by manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, pharmacists and persons licensed to dispense medicines; to make new provisions for appeals against decisions of the Director-General or the council; to provide that the council may acquire and appropriate funds; to regulate the Minister's power to make regulations; to provide for the rationalization of certain laws relating to medicines and related substances that have remained in force in various territories on the national territory of the Republic by virtue of item 2 of Schedule 6 to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

[Long title substituted by section 13 of Act No. 59 of 2002]