Implementation of electronic scripts in South Africa.

The legal framework in South Africa (SA) provides for strict requirements regarding prescriptions. However, pharmacists are still confronted daily with illegible handwritten scripts, increasing the risk of medication errors. E-prescribing is being implemented in SA to overcome these disadvantages.

Disposal of medical waste: a legal perspective.

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides that everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being. The illegal dumping of hazardous waste poses a danger to the environment when pollutants migrate into water sources and ultimately cause widespread infection or toxicity, endangering the health of humans who might become exposed to infection and toxins. To give effect to the Constitution, the safe disposal of hazardous waste is governed by legislation in South Africa.

3-Bromo-chroman-4-one.

The heterocyclic ring of the title compound, C9H7BrO2, obtained by bromination of 4-chromanone with copper bromide, adopts a half-chair conformation. The supramol-ecular structure is governed by a weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bond. There is also π-π stacking between symmetry-related benzene rings; the centroid-centroid distance is 3.

The cytotoxic effects of Scilla nervosa (Burch.) Jessop (Hyacinthaceae) aqueous extract on cultured HepG2 cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Bulbs of Scilla nervosa, a medicinal plant indigenous to Southern Africa, are traditionally used in aqueous decoctions to treat a diverse range of illnesses. The bulbs contain homoisoflavanones and stilbenoids. Little information is known about the plant's toxicity on the liver, a major detoxifying organ.

An investigation of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of crocodile oil.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Crocodile oil has been used by traditional practitioners world-wide to treat microbial infections and inflammatory conditions. However, the scientific rationale behind its use is not completely understood. This study provides an updated fatty acid profile and novel scientific evidence of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of crocodile oil, obtained from the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), justifying its use by traditional healers.