SANDF acquisition of non-approved Cuban COVID-19 drug draws more criticism Written by defenceWeb - Heberon. The decision to import Cuban medication to provide heightened protection against COVID-19 for soldiers at a cost in excess of R200 million, apparently contradicting South African medical regulations, attracted the attention of the Auditor-General and the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and others to date. The medication was allegedly smuggled into South Africa in March last year aboard an aircraft chartered from SAA bringing a “brigade” of Cuban military medical doctors to help local medics fighting the pandemic. The Military Command Council (MCC) of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) last week issued a statement defending its acquisition of the Cuban Interferon drug with a thinly veiled support statement from SANDF religious liaison and communication officer, Colonel Sebatolo Loate, following.