The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has acknowledged supply challenges affecting the availability of some medicines at public health facilities across the province.

According to the department, these challenges are influenced by several factors, including changes in medicine contracts, supplier delays, procurement lead times, limited supplier participation and broader pharmaceutical supply-chain pressures.

The department stated that it has established systems to continuously monitor medicine availability and identify potential supply challenges.

This includes the use of the Stock Visibility System, which provides visibility of stock levels and assists the department in identifying and escalating potential shortages.

The health department added that these provincial mechanisms operate alongside the National Department of Health’s medicine availability monitoring and escalation structures.

“Furthermore, it is important to distinguish between the temporary unavailability of a particular brand, pack size or supplier’s product and the complete absence of treatment for a patient.

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“Patients may receive medicines from different approved manufacturers or in different packaging while the medicine remains the same in terms of its active ingredient, strength and therapeutic benefit,” said the GDoH.

The department explained that where a specific medicine, strength or pack size is unavailable, its Medicine Availability and Escalation Protocol provides for alternative pack sizes, strengths and clinically appropriate therapeutic alternatives in line with approved standard treatment guidelines.

The department added that available stock may be rotated between facilities and, where necessary, across districts to improve availability and minimise wastage. Facilities and districts also engage suppliers to expedite outstanding orders.

“As required, the department may undertake buy-outs, meaning the sourcing of urgently needed medicines from another approved supplier, in line with supply chain management processes.”

As part of these interventions, the department indicated that it works closely with the national department and other stakeholders to address supply challenges.

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The department noted that national interventions include monitoring medicines through the National Surveillance Centre and Stock Visibility System, identifying critical items through the national Hot List and addressing supply challenges through the Improved Medicine Availability Team.

The department explained that the National Department of Health engages manufacturers, suppliers and provinces to address shortages, including investigating availability from other registered manufacturers where contracted supply is insufficient and promoting the rational use of available stock where appropriate.

“The department recognises that medicine shortages can cause anxiety and inconvenience for patients, particularly those who depend on chronic medication.

“However, medicine availability is actively monitored and interventions are implemented to minimise interruptions to treatment and ensure that available medicines are distributed as equitably as possible,” added the department.

The department stated that it remains committed to ensuring continuity of care for patients who depend on chronic and other essential medicines.

The department said that it will continue working with the national department, suppliers, districts and health facilities to address current supply challenges and strengthen medicine availability across the province.