Collusion, says the much venerated Oxford English Dictionary, is a Fraudulent secret understanding, especially between ostensible opponents. Why Bal(l) uses this word to describe the holding of a medical conference by a medical association is beyond comprehension. The pharmaceutical industry does offer financial support to such academic activities, but there is nothing secret about this. Associ...

The enormously profitable complementary medicines, dietary supplements and traditional medicines markets are largely unregulated internationally and South Africa. Attempts to ensure that consumers are not exposed to harmful or ineffective products have met with varying success around the world.

This paper will examine the question of whether patients, who receive free medical care, whether from private charitable or governmental hospitals, can claim rights as 'consumers' under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The issue will be discussed from a constitutional perspective as well as that of the law of torts.