Call to alleviate drugs shortages

Gavin Daniels
16 July 2012

Last week scores of patients with chronic conditions, and those who have cancer were turned away from hospitals in the Western Cape

This comes after essential medicine apparently ran out of stock.

In an open letter Health MEC in the Western Cape Theuns Botha asked the National Heath Minister Aaron Motsoaledi about the impact of the shortages of these medicines.

Botha said the shortages originated at the national department due to tenders not being awarded and suppliers being unable to source drugs to South Africa.

But in the meantime the department is buying medicine privately and directly from a supplier and they are also busy delivering to the patient’s homes.