The MEC for Health and Social Development in Gauteng, Qedani Mahlangu, has ordered pharmacists in the province to step up visits to hospitals and clinics to improve the management of medicines.
Every year the department destroys tablets, vaccines and other refrigerated medicines which have expired and are longer deemed suitable for human consumption. The value of destroyed medicine is approximately 0.5 percent of the total drug expenditure or R5 million.
Power failures and the delivery, by suppliers, of large quantities of medicines with short shelf life, are some of the most common reasons for the expiry of medicines which necessitates their destruction. Other factors include poor management of medical stock and the shortage of pharmacists in clinics.
To overcome the identified problems, the MEC has instructed that more district pharmacists be appointed. A total of 200 pharmacy assistants are currently in training to improve drug supply management and adherence to standard operating procures.
District pharmacists are now required to undertake regular visits to wards and clinics to conduct stock checks and assist nurses in managing medicines. The department has also undertaken to employ stores clerks at most facilities to minimise over ordering of medical stock. Back-up generators will also be procured to ensure constant power supply to pharmacy fridges in times of electricity black outs.
Although the department is satisfied that current measures have worked well to prevent the administering of expired medicines to patients, the MEC would like to see improvements in the management of medicines to save costs.
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
Issued by: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government
25 November 2009
Source: Department of Health and Social Development, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.health.gpg.gov.za/)
