Health officials urge patients not to panic over medicine shortages
Health officials say therapeutic alternatives and stock-monitoring systems are helping maintain access, as concerns persist over shortages
As September marks Pharmacy Month in South Africa, health officials are urging patients not to panic amid reported medicine shortages. Despite challenges across the country, health authorities are employing technological dashboards and monitoring to maintain stock levels and ensure patient access to necessary medications. The National Department of Health assures that changes in appearance, such as color or shape, do not affect a medicine's quality or effectiveness, as all products meet stringent regulatory standards.
While specific brands may be temporarily limited, clinicians are mandated to provide clinically appropriate alternatives to maintain continuity of care. South Africa manages global supply chain disruptions through systems like the Stock Visibility System (SVS), ensuring consistent patient access to safe and effective medications.
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Health connects some of these supply disruptions to conflicts in the Middle East, attributing them to issues like procurement hurdles and availability of raw materials, beyond provincial control.
KZN Legislature Health Portfolio Committee Chairperson Dr Imran Keeka highlighted ongoing procurement issues at a national level, emphasizing the importance of timely payments to suppliers. One facility reported critical shortages of anti-cancer drugs, prompting Keeka to raise the issue with the Health Officer Deputy. The provincial pharmaceutical supply dashboard shows adequate levels for certain brands, requiring close monitoring to ensure no patient leaves without critical medications.
Keeka expressed concern over patients being directed to private purchases they cannot afford, stressing the need for intervention to prevent any lapse in supply that could result in loss of life.
Thandeka Njapha, Provincial Pharmaceutical Supply Depot Manager, explained that daily meetings review each health facility's inventory, using a technology-driven dashboard to track availability at hospitals and clinics. This system ensures that any shortages are addressed promptly, with pharmacists offering therapeutic alternatives when necessary. Njapha advised the public not to panic if a medicine is unavailable, instead consulting with pharmacists for possible therapeutic alternatives.
In mid-August, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) issued a recall of four batches of Enalapril 10mg Arya, a medication used for high blood pressure. These batches (GQQ24053, GQQ24064, GQQ24066, and GQQ24067) were recalled due to out-of-specification results during post-marketing surveillance inspections.
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