Fake patients fuel medicine black market in Mpumalanga

In Mpumalanga, fake patients are stealing vital medicines and shipping them to neighboring countries, according to the local health workers. A nurse, who preferred to remain anonymous, reported that foreign-looking individuals were stealing different vital medicines from public clinics and transporting them to countries like Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The nurse expressed concern, stating, "We are frightened to alert the authorities as we are unsure if insiders are involved. It would be beneficial if the health department investigates to arrest the perpetrators."

Another health practitioner confirmed that fake patients were gathering medicines, including antiretrovirals and other essential medicines. One patient was accused of visiting three various clinics to collect medication. Recently, during anti-immigration protests, a woman from Malawi stated she had ceased visiting clinics and now purchases medicines from the black market.

Thandi Maluka, a director of Positive Women’s Network, an organization representing women living with HIV, announced that her organization was also examining the situation.

Bosman Grobler, a DA member in the Mpumalanga legislature, indicated that the reported information did not specify the nationality of the alleged fake patients. However, Grobler emphasized the need to investigate why some individuals could register at multiple clinics and hospitals to obtain sought-after medicines, such as antiretrovirals. Grobler claimed that the Mpumalanga health department might have significant weaknesses in patient verification, record management, and medicine control systems.

According to healthcare workers, during recent oversight visits, some individuals successfully registered at multiple clinics and hospitals, collecting medicines like antibiotics, pain medication, cough syrups, and antiretrovirals. These medicines could ultimately be redirected to the illicit market, Grobler warned. "The department must promptly determine if organized criminal syndicates are exploiting these weaknesses and take immediate action to address any gaps," he stated.

Fraudulently acquiring medication or diverting it for illegal resale is stealing from vulnerable South Africans who rely on public healthcare, Grobler asserted. The department is currently examining the allegations to establish whether there is enough evidence for a formal investigation, spokesperson Dumisani Malamule said. "If credible information indicates possible misconduct, fraud, theft, or other unlawful activities, the issue will be handled through the appropriate departmental and law enforcement procedures," he added.

Malamule confirmed that the department has systems and controls in place to support patient record identification and management. Where duplicate or irregular records are discovered, they are reviewed and addressed through the appropriate processes. To date, the department has not found or confirmed evidence of medicines being illegally acquired or rerouted for resale. The department is committed to strengthening controls to protect patient information and ensure proper medicine management.