Siphokazi Vuso|Published
Medicine shortages continue to put pressure on public healthcare services in the Western Cape, prompting the provincial Department of Health and Wellness to call for urgent national intervention and better monitoring of supplies.
The shortages, which have persisted for more than four months since concerns were first raised in June, are being linked to manufacturing and regulatory challenges, supplier constraints, import and customs delays, and delays in testing and releasing certain medicines.
Western Cape Health and Wellness MEC Mireille Wenger has written to National Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi requesting clear timelines for measures to improve medicine availability, warning that patients need access to the medication they require.
The shortages have also prompted warnings against buying medicines from street vendors, following the arrest of a man allegedly selling medication, some of which had expired, in Gugulethu.
Western Cape seeks national action on medicine shortages
Wenger first raised concerns about medication stock-outs on 2 June, ahead of a National Health Council (NHC) meeting on 11 June.
The matter was tabled for discussion, with the department saying the council recognised the seriousness of the supply constraints and agreed that measures were needed to improve national coordination and monitoring of medicine availability.
Supply challenges, however, continued to affect patients and healthcare services more than four months later.
Wenger subsequently wrote to Motsoaledi requesting national intervention and clear timelines for measures to improve medicine availability.
“Medicine supply constraints are a country-wide challenge and require a co-ordinated 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,” Wenger said.
“Co-ordinated monitoring across provinces will give all departments a clearer picture of medicine pressures. It can identify shortages earlier, improve planning and support redistribution of available stock where appropriate.”
The department said it was taking steps to protect patients while broader supply chain challenges were being addressed.
DA cites multiple factors behind shortages
DA deputy spokesperson on health Dr Karl le Roux said the party had received reports of medicine stock-outs in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and the North West.
“This seems to be due to a combination of factors including global supply line disruptions due to the Iran war, a very small increase in the Single Exit Price (SEP) this year and stricter SAPHRA regulatory requirements, putting pressure on local pharmaceutical production,” Le Roux said.
“The DA continues to call for better monitoring of medication through national electronic medicine stock management systems, early warning systems and flexible procurement processes to allow for medicine stockouts to be mitigated.”
Nurses warn against buying medication on the streets
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) has warned the public against buying medication on the streets, saying doing so could put their health and lives at risk.
The warning follows the arrest of a 38-year-old street vendor at the Nyanga Junction Transportation Hub in Gugulethu on 12 October for allegedly selling medication from boxes, some of which had expired.
“While Denosa is not aware of what type of medication was found, the organisation is concerned that, while community members often struggle to get medication due to shortages of medication and overcrowding in healthcare centres, there is medication that is just sold on the streets,” the organisation said.
Western Cape police said the suspect would appear in the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on a charge relating to contravention of the Medicines Act once formally charged.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel FC van Wyk urged the public to avoid purchasing medication from unregistered individuals and premises.
“The public is strongly urged to refrain from purchasing medicine from unregistered individuals and premises and is instead encouraged to obtain medication from pharmacies and authorised suppliers which operate from within a controlled environment,” he said.
Van Wyk also urged anyone with information about the illegal sale of medication to come forward.
The National Department of Health did not comment by the time of publication.