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The National Health Department has confirmed a shortage of medicine, and it is engaging and procuring alternative medicine. According to the National Department of Health’s spokesperson, Foster Mohale,  the current supply challenges are attributable to a combination of factors, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and, in some instances, local manufacturers' non-compliance with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority’s (SAHPRA) regulatory requirements. “The Department has been actively engaging with suppliers and is procuring alternative medicines from other sources to minimise the impact on patients. In the interim, some patients may be temporarily switched to clinically appropriate alternative medicines for the same conditions until the supply constraints are resolved,” Mohale said. He added that the Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with all relevant stakeholders to restore normal supply levels as soon as possible. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also raised concerns about shortages of the up to 50 critical medicines, warning that patients could experience adverse reactions to replacement drugs or stop taking their treatment altogether. The party has urged Parliament’s Health Committee to investigate the extent of the shortages, their causes and the measures being taken to protect patients. DA spokesperson on Health Michele Clarke said she had requested a special committee meeting and wants Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, the Department of Health, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), Pharmaceuticals Made In South Africa (Pharmisa) and the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa to appear before the committee. Clarke said patients could face risks if they had to switch to alternative medication. “A considerable risk is that some patients might experience adverse reactions to the replacement medications, and an overarching risk that concerns the DA very much is that some patients might be fearful of replacement medication or confused by replacements and then stop their treatment,” she said. The medicines include amlodipine, used to treat high blood pressure and prevent angina; rosuvastatin, which treats high cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes; and metformin, used to manage type 2 diabetes. The list also includes olanzapine, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, particularly episodes of mania; pregabalin, used to treat nerve pain, seizures and anxiety disorders; and mebendazole, which treats intestinal worm infections.]]>

The National Health Department has confirmed a shortage of medicine, and it is engaging and procuring alternative medicine. According to the National Department of Health’s spokesperson, Foster Mohale,  the current supply challenges are attributable to a combination of factors, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and, in some instances, local manufacturers' non-compliance with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority’s (SAHPRA) regulatory requirements. “The Department has been actively engaging with suppliers and is procuring alternative medicines from other sources to minimise the impact on patients. In the interim, some patients may be temporarily switched to clinically appropriate alternative medicines for the same conditions until the supply constraints are resolved,” Mohale said. He added that the Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with all relevant stakeholders to restore normal supply levels as soon as possible. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also raised concerns about shortages of the up to 50 critical medicines, warning that patients could experience adverse reactions to replacement drugs or stop taking their treatment altogether. The party has urged Parliament’s Health Committee to investigate the extent of the shortages, their causes and the measures being taken to protect patients. DA spokesperson on Health Michele Clarke said she had requested a special committee meeting and wants Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, the Department of Health, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), Pharmaceuticals Made In South Africa (Pharmisa) and the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa to appear before the committee. Clarke said patients could face risks if they had to switch to alternative medication. “A considerable risk is that some patients might experience adverse reactions to the replacement medications, and an overarching risk that concerns the DA very much is that some patients might be fearful of replacement medication or confused by replacements and then stop their treatment,” she said. The medicines include amlodipine, used to treat high blood pressure and prevent angina; rosuvastatin, which treats high cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes; and metformin, used to manage type 2 diabetes. The list also includes olanzapine, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, particularly episodes of mania; pregabalin, used to treat nerve pain, seizures and anxiety disorders; and mebendazole, which treats intestinal worm infections.]]>