NATIONAL NEWS - The Western Cape Government has called on national government to act on ongoing medicine supply problems, warning that shortages are still affecting patients and healthcare services across the country.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger wrote to National Health Minister Dr Motsoaledi in September, asking for national action and clear timelines for interventions.
“Medicine supply constraints are a country-wide challenge and requires a coordinated national response. Our patients deserve access to the medications that they need, and it is our responsibility to find and implement solutions to unblock and mitigate these challenges,” said Wenger.
What is causing the shortages?
The provincial Department of Health and Wellness says medicine availability in South Africa is being hit by several pressures along the national pharmaceutical supply chain.
These include manufacturing and regulatory challenges, supplier constraints, import and customs delays, and delays in the testing and release of some medicines.
The department says reliable access to medicine matters most to people with chronic conditions who take treatment every day.
National Health Council discussed the problem in June
Wenger first raised concern about medicine stock-outs on 2 June, ahead of the National Health Council (NHC) meeting on 11 June. The matter was then tabled for discussion.
The NHC is the main structure through which national and provincial health departments coordinate the country’s health system. It acknowledged the seriousness of the problem and agreed that measures were needed to improve national coordination and monitoring of medicine availability.
More than four months later, supply constraints continue.
Why provinces need coordinated monitoring
Wenger said monitoring across all provinces would give health departments a clearer picture of medicine pressures. It could help identify shortages earlier, improve planning and allow available stock to be redistributed where appropriate.
“The purpose is to ensure that national government coordinates the information and actions needed to support every province and protect patients wherever they live,” she said.
What the Western Cape is doing
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is monitoring stock weekly at the Cape Medical Depot and reporting stock levels and supplier performance to national government. It is also redistributing stock between facilities, sourcing alternatives where possible and supporting temporary imports where necessary.
What happens if your medicine is out of stock?
When a prescribed medicine is unavailable, pharmacists and clinicians work together to provide a clinically appropriate alternative. This could be a different strength, pack size or formulation, or a therapeutic substitute.
Limited stock may be shared equitably or issued in smaller quantities while supplies are secured.
Advice for patients
The department says healthcare workers and pharmacists are doing everything they can to protect continuity of care while the wider supply challenges are addressed.
Patients are encouraged to ask questions if their medicine looks different, their treatment has changed or their usual medicine is unavailable. They should keep collecting their medication and not change how they take it without first speaking to a healthcare professional.
Healthcare teams will provide clinically appropriate alternatives where needed.
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