Availability of medicine improves in Gauteng

To ensure availability of medicine at all times, Medical Supply Depot (MSD) has now increased stock levels of essential and fast moving items from six weeks to three months.

This was announced by Gauteng Health MEC Ntombi Mekgwe when answering questions at the provincial legislature this morning.

The MEC said there is no major challenge on essential antibiotics, the suppliers are delivering timeously and stock is issued to hospitals and clinics continuously.

“The contract for chemotherapy drugs has been renewed and stock has already been procured for hospitals,” said MEC Mekgwe.

For insulin products, currently there is no contract. It is expected that availability will improve immediately after the contract has been awarded and that should be in four to six weeks. Currently the stock is procured on quotation.

MDS, which delivers medicine in due time (depending on availability) to all clinics and hospitals currently has a shortage of Chlorhexidine antiseptic products, Abacavir tablets, Efavirenz and Metformin.

This shortage is due to many factors including the challenge of lack of ingredients to manufacture Abacavir for an example.

Previously the suppliers also put a hold on delivering medicines due to non-payment but debts have since been settled and the department continues to engage with suppliers to agree on structured delivery plans.

MEC Mekgwe also responded to questions posed to her about Mr Johan Joubert who is at Nigel Correctional Services.

Mr Joubert was referred to Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital from Dr George Mukhari Hospital for an MRI scan but was advised to see orthopaedics first.

An appointment for the patient to see the orthopaedics as well as do an MRI scan is scheduled for 18 June 2012.

Following this visit, the hospital will give appropriate treatment to the patient.

“It must be noted that there is a waiting list for patients who require MRI scans and no patient receives preferential treatment. All patients are treated equally and fairly irrespective of who they know,” emphasised MEC Mekgwe.

Enquiries:
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892