The Gauteng Department of Health has put measures in place to mitigate medical shortage in public facilities across the province.
Kwara Kekana,the department’s spokeswoman told Gauteng News there has been shortage of medication from March 2020 till to date. She said they are planning to get rid of contracted suppliers.
“We want to search for suppliers that are not on contract to manufacture medical products. Late deliveries will be penalised and the department will engage with suppliers to resolve supply challenges”, said Kekana.
It has come to department’s awareness that shortage of medication is caused by inadequate pharmaceutical ingredients. Kekana said that another challenge is lockdown regulations, as manufacturers are not allowed to operate at full capacity.
“In other to reduce the spread of Covid-19, suppliers are delivering but with limited quantities. The demand for medication has increased due to Covid-19 outbreak, so most countries are stock compiling which results in manufacturers not coping with high demand. Some of the items are not on the contracts as manufacturers do not bid for tenders,” said Kekana.
Kekana said few patients were affected by a shortage of medication as they were given alternatives. She said in a situation where patients are not given alternative medication, they are referred back to the doctors who are treating them to recommend an alternative course of treatment.
“Public facilities have medication shortage on terizidone 250mg capsule, 100 capsules for tuberculosis. Reason for the shortage was manufacturing constraints and patients were given alternatives. Budesonide 100ug oral inhalation for asthma, other alternative therapeutic alternatives are available. Chlorhexidine 4% surgical scrub, 500ml for Antiseptic, disinfectant. There was high demand and no negative impact on patients as staff members can use water and soap as an alternative”, she added.
Other medicine that is in shortage is Valproate sodium 199,8mg and Valproic acid 87mg modified release tablet, 100 tablets for epilepsy. There was manufacturing constraints and other pack sizes are available for patients.
“Lamotrigine tablets for all strengths of seizures and bipolar disorder. There was manufacturing constraints and patients were given alternatives. Omeprazole 20mg capsules for GERD, gastric or duodenal ulcers. This occurred due to lockdown challenges and patients were given alternatives”, she said.
