BL Premium reports that almost two months after it was ordered by the health regulator to return an unregistered Covid-19 drug obtained from Cuba, the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has complied.

The SANDF imported Heberon Interferon-Alpha-2B from the island nation, claiming the drug could offer protection against Covid-19 by attacking “natural interferons of the victim”. Those claims were never corroborated by the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra). Late in 2021, the regulator ordered the defence force to return the drug to Cuba or face having it confiscated and destroyed. Officials implicated in the scandal may still be held personally liable for the R260m originally billed by the Cubans, according to a report by the auditor-general presented to parliament’s defence committee in December. The SANDF has paid about R120m to date, and it is not clear whether SA taxpayers will be reimbursed by Cuba, a country that traditionally has close relations with the ANC due to its support for the struggle against apartheid. SANDF representatives present during a meeting with MPs on Wednesday confirmed that the drug had been returned to Cuba, but did not provide details on whether a refund could be claimed.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bekezela Phakathi at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)

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