HSF Briefs

Pharmaceuticals and South Africa II – Supply

In the first Brief we considered the findings in the HSF’s enquiry into the structures regarding the pricing and distribution of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. This Brief will summarise the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. The series will conclude by considering the various findings against the backdrop of a Western Cape High Court judgement dealing with some of the issues.

Pharmaceuticals and South Africa I - Distribution

In the first Brief we consider the findings in the HSF’s enquiry into the structures regarding the pricing and distribution of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. The Second Brief will summarise the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in South Africa. The series concludes by considering the various findings against the backdrop of a Western Cape High Court judgement dealing with some of the issues.

The African Continental Free Trade Area has been established. What now?

This brief examines the recent establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area and its importance within the context of intra-African trade.

The Political Economy Of The Economic Reconstruction And Recovery Plan

The government’s economic policy cards are on the table. Government policy attempts to achieve two goals simultaneously: to ward off an impending fiscal crisis and to improve investment to the point where it can underpin a respectable rate of economic growth. Both need urgent attention. The political economy question is this: can a coalition of interests be maintained to sustain the policy for several years?

Financing Government Debt

The Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, tabled in Parliament on 28 October 2020, projects that the government will need to issue above 50% more short-term and long-term domestic debt in 2020/21 than in 2019/20. In this Brief Charles Simkins considers if the targets can be met and what the macroeconomic implications of doing so would be.

How Coherent Are The 2020 Production And Labour Market Data? II - The Main Issues

This brief compares production and labour market estimates from different sources. Some of the work has already been done in previous briefs and this will be referred to, with a brief summary of findings. In order not to clutter the exposition of new comparisons, supporting tables are placed in the annexure to the brief.

How Coherent Are The 2020 Production And Labour Market Data? I - The Basis For Assessment

The preceding briefs in this series have drawn on a number of sources to assess the evolution of the economy during 2020. These data sources have been compiled for different purposes and to a great extent independently of one another. Yet they overlap and their findings can be compared. The questions arise: How coherent are the data from these sources? What judgements can be made after all the sources have been considered? What uncertainties and puzzles remain?

Social Grants and Unemployment Insurance During The Lockdown

After reviewing the special government cash transfers to households in order to help them through the lockdown, this brief summarizes available information on disbursement of these grants.