Antimicrobial substances
Group of substances
No structure available
Antimicrobial substances is a group of substances, so there is no single molecule to show.
Background
Listing
- Schedules
- Schedule 2 to 4, conditions apply
- Exceptions reach
- Schedule 0 and 1
- Source
- Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026
Registered medicines
The ingredient index links no registered medicine to Antimicrobial substances (register of 13 September 2026).
Counted through the register's ingredient index, which does not reach every record.
Regulatory status
Where S2 to S4 sits on the scale
Depends on which listing applies
At the least restrictive, Schedule 2: a pharmacist can sell it directly, without a prescription. At the most restrictive, Schedule 4: prescription-only medicine. The listings below say which applies to which form, strength or pack size.
Schedule S2 to S4, as the Consolidated Schedules list it.
Who may supply: 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.
Consolidated Schedules listings for Antimicrobial substances
S4: Antimicrobial substances
- natural or synthetic including substances purporting to be suitable for the treatment of microbial infections unless listed elsewhere in the Schedules, and except –
- the following substances when intended for topical application to the epidermis, nares and external ear: (i) bacitracin; (S1) (ii) gramicidin; (S1) (iii) griseofulvin; (S2) (iv) mupirocin; (S2) (v) natamycin; (S2) (vi) polymyxin B; (S1) (vii) tyrothricin; (S1)
- when intended for use as - (i) disinfectants, being topical agents or preparations used to treat inanimate objects, materials or surfaces, and that destroys or inhibits the growth of pathogenic micro- organisms so treated in the non-sporing or vegetative state, rendering them harmful to neither health nor the quality of perishable goods; (S0) (ii) antiseptics, being topical agents or preparations used on skin and other living tissues, and that destroys or inhibits the growth of pathogenic micro-organisms so treated in the non- sporing or vegetative state, protecting health and preventing infection; (S0) and (iii) germicides, being topical agents or preparations used to treat inanimate objects, materials or surfaces and/or on skin and other living tissues, destroying or killing pathogenic micro- organisms so treated in the non-sporing or vegetative state, thereby protecting health, the quality of perishable goods, and preventing infection. (S0)
Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026, lines 5276 to 5315
S2: Antimicrobial substances
- griseofulvin, mupirocin, natamycin when intended for application to the skin, nares and external ear; (S4)
- nystatin preparations intended for application to the oral cavity, nares and external ear. (S1, S4)
Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026, lines 1598 to 1602
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.