The Department of Health says it is aware of concerns about medicines that may appear “out of stock” at public healthcare facilities in several provinces, and about patients receiving medicines different from those issued to them at health facilities.
The department has reassured the public that a change in the colour, shape, packaging or manufacturer of a medicine does not mean that the medicine itself has changed. This is because public healthcare facilities procure medicines only from suppliers that meet regulatory and quality standards.
In a statement, departmental spokesperson Foster Mohale noted that where more than one approved supplier provides the same medicine, patients may receive products from different manufacturers over time.
“Although these medicines may look different, they contain the same active ingredients, are of the same strength/quality, and provide the same therapeutic benefits. They are approved as safe, effective and interchangeable. Healthcare professionals may therefore dispense an equivalent medicine to ensure that patients continue receiving uninterrupted treatment,” added Mohale
Patients with questions or concerns about changes to the look of their medicines have been encouraged to speak to their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, who can explain the reason for the change and confirm that the medicine remains appropriate for their treatment.
The Department has clarified that reports of medicine shortages do not necessarily mean that patients are unable to receive treatment. In many cases, a specific brand, pack size or supplier’s product may be temporarily unavailable, while an equivalent medicine remains available and accessible.
“Healthcare professionals routinely manage these situations by providing clinically appropriate alternatives to ensure continuity of care.”
The department added that, like many countries, South Africa’s medicine supply chain can occasionally be affected by manufacturing disruptions, global shortages of raw materials, increased international demand, transport delays and changes between procurement contracts.
Medicine availability is monitored through the National Surveillance Centre and other established reporting systems. These systems provide early warning of potential supply challenges across levels of healthcare delivery and enable the department to work closely with provinces, healthcare facilities, suppliers and regulatory authorities to address risks promptly and maintain access to essential medicines.
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