South African Drug Schedules
Understanding the classification system for pharmaceuticals in South Africa. Drug schedules determine access requirements, from over-the-counter medicines to controlled substances.
About Drug Schedules
South African drug schedules are regulatory classifications that determine how pharmaceuticals can be accessed, dispensed, and controlled. The system ranges from Schedule 0 (least restrictive) to Schedule 8 (most restrictive), with each level requiring different levels of professional oversight and control.
These classifications help ensure patient safety while maintaining appropriate access to necessary medications.
All drug schedules
| Schedule | Classification | Who may supply | Drugs |
|---|---|---|---|
| S0S0 - No Schedule | Sold anywhere, no pharmacist needed. | Anyone. It may be sold in an ordinary shop, not only in a pharmacy. | 35 products |
| S1S1 - Pharmacy Medicine | Sold by a pharmacist, no doctor's prescription needed. | A pharmacist, or a supervised pharmacist intern or assistant; manufacturers and wholesalers supplying people who may lawfully possess it; a veterinarian, who may prescribe, compound or dispense it; a medical practitioner or dentist, who may prescribe it, and may compound or dispense it only if licensed under section 22C(1)(a); a nurse or other registered non-doctor prescriber, who may prescribe only the Scheduled substances the Schedule identifies for that purpose, and dispense them if licensed to do so; and, for animal treatment, a person practising a para-veterinary profession, on a veterinarian's written or verbal instruction. | 82 products |
| S2S2 - Pharmacy Medicine | A pharmacist can sell it directly, without a prescription. | Only a pharmacist, pharmacist intern or supervised pharmacist's assistant may sell it without a prescription. It may otherwise be dispensed by a pharmacist against a written or verbal prescription from an authorised prescriber; a veterinarian, who may also prescribe, compound or dispense it directly; a medical practitioner or dentist, who may prescribe it and may compound or dispense it directly only if licensed under section 22C(1)(a); and, for animal treatment, a person practising a para-veterinary profession, on a veterinarian's written or verbal instruction. | 295 products |
| S3S3 - Pharmacist Initiated | Needs a doctor's prescription, dispensed by a pharmacist. | A pharmacist dispensing against a written or verbal prescription from an authorised prescriber; a veterinarian, who may also prescribe, compound or dispense it directly; a medical practitioner or dentist, who may prescribe it and may compound or dispense it directly only if licensed under section 22C(1)(a); manufacturers and wholesalers may supply people who may lawfully possess it; and, for animal treatment, a person practising a para-veterinary profession, on a veterinarian's written or verbal instruction. | 1019 products |
| S4S4 - Prescription Only | Prescription-only medicine. | A pharmacist dispensing against a written or verbal prescription from an authorised prescriber; a veterinarian, who may also prescribe, compound or dispense it directly; a medical practitioner or dentist, who may prescribe it and may compound or dispense it directly only if licensed under section 22C(1)(a); manufacturers and wholesalers may supply people who may lawfully possess it; and, for animal treatment, a person practising a para-veterinary profession, on a veterinarian's written or verbal instruction. | 2630 products |
| S5S5 - Controlled Substance | Prescription-only, with tighter controls on repeats. | A pharmacist dispensing against a written or verbal prescription from an authorised prescriber; a veterinarian, who may also prescribe, compound or dispense it directly; a medical practitioner or dentist, who may prescribe it and may compound or dispense it directly only if licensed under section 22C(1)(a); manufacturers and wholesalers may supply people who may lawfully possess it. | 617 products |
| S6S6 - Restricted Substance | Prescription-only, no repeats without a new prescription. | A pharmacist dispensing against a written or verbal prescription from an authorised prescriber; a veterinarian, who may also prescribe, compound or dispense it directly; a medical practitioner or dentist, who may prescribe it and may compound or dispense it directly only if licensed under section 22C(1)(a); manufacturers and wholesalers may supply people who may lawfully possess it. | 68 products |
| S7S7 - Dangerous Substance | Prohibited outside a government permit. | Nobody, except under a permit issued by the Director-General. The Director-General may also authorise a medical practitioner, analyst, researcher or veterinarian to acquire or use it, on prescribed conditions, for the treatment or prevention of a medical condition in a particular patient, or for education, analysis or research. An ordinary prescription does not apply. | |
| S8S8 - Dependence Producing | Government-controlled, permit-only, patient-specific supply. | The Director-General, to provide to a medical practitioner treating a particular patient, on conditions the Director-General determines; or, under the same permit system, a medical practitioner, analyst, researcher or veterinarian the Director-General has authorised, for treatment or prevention in a particular patient, or for education, analysis or research. |
Important Information
• Schedule classifications are determined by SAHPRA based on safety profiles, potential for abuse, and therapeutic value.
• Higher schedule numbers indicate greater restrictions and control requirements.
• Some medicines may be unscheduled (not assigned a specific schedule) and are generally available as over-the-counter products.
• Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any medication, regardless of its schedule classification.
This is an informational summary of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 and its 2017 General Regulations. It is not medical advice and not legal advice. Always check the medicine's label, which carries the schedule number inside a square border, or ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.