V-tech at loggerheads with SAHPRA for shortage drug to save pets
A bitter dispute has sparked between V-Tech and SAHPRA over the shortage of the life-saving medication Trilostane for pets. But what's behind the crisis, and what's at stake for pet owners?
A crisis, which is putting the lives of thousands of pets at risk, is unfolding in South Africa. The problem centres around a crucial medicine called Trilostane, which is used to treat serious health conditions in dogs and cats.
However, V-Tech, a veterinary pharmaceutical company operating in Fourways and Midrand, is fighting the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) for the shortage of this life-saving medication for pets.
Dr Johan Oosthuyse, the CEO at V-Tech, said Trilostane is a life-saving drug crucial for treating adrenal disorders in dogs and cats, and its scarcity has left countless pets suffering from conditions like Cushing’s disease without viable treatment options, condemning them to a slow and painful death.
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He said in October 2023, the dispute reached the courts, where a judge mandated that SAHPRA and V-Tech negotiate the release of an initial batch of Trilostane. Despite this judicial intervention, he said SAHPRA’s handling of the situation has been mired in delays, misinformation, and bureaucratic chaos.
While V-Tech managed to secure a batch of Trilostane under stringent conditions, SAHPRA’s restrictive instructions rendered its use impossible.
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“Every day of delay costs lives. Pets who depend on Trilostane are being left to die because of a tangled web of misinformation and bureaucratic red tape. Without immediate resolution, the fallout will be catastrophic for countless pet owners and veterinarians who are left helpless to manage these treatable conditions. This escalating crisis raises serious questions about SAHPRA’s commitment to public and animal health.
“The time for delays is over. V-Tech is calling on SAHPRA to take immediate action to resolve this crisis. Release the withheld medication, and ensure that such life-threatening mishandling never happens again.”
Madimetja Mashishi, the media spokesperson for SAHPRA, had not responded to the questions sent to him about the allegations at the time we went to print.
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