Essential medicine shortage at Gauteng hospitals

Patients might have to buy their medicine from private pharmacies due to a shortage of medicine in most of Gauteng hospitals.

A total of 64 essential medicines are unavailable at Gauteng public hospitals.

This was revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu at the Gauteng Legislature.

However, medicine shortages vary at different hospitals, depending on the level of care that is given.

Helen Joseph Hospital was revealed as one of the hospitals that has 46 kinds of medicine that’s missing.

According to Mahlangu, “86 per cent of vital medicines and 76 per cent of essential medicines are available.”

Mahlangu also stated that if stocks are low, patients get a one-month supply instead of the usual three-month supply, and that institutions assist each other where medicines are in short supply.

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom was unimpressed.

“I am aware of cases where patients are given a script and told to buy from a private pharmacy, but many cannot afford to do this,” said Bloom.

“She [Mahlangu] blames the non-availability of medicines on national tenders and the failure of suppliers to build up the necessary stock levels to meet the province’s needs,” said Bloom.

“It is scandalous that nearly one in four essential medicines are not available in Gauteng public hospitals and clinics.

“This appalling situation has dragged on for far too long and requires effective measures to ensure that medicines are always available,” concluded Bloom.