Chronic medication, for life-threatening diseases such as hypertension and asthma, are out of stock at public hospitals in the Western Cape.
Last week a Strandfontein resident messaged TygerBurger saying she had received none of her hypertension medication and only some of her asthma medication on going for her chronic-medicine pick-up.
She showed TygerBurger her receipt, which listed several of the medicines as “out of stock”.
Frightening
“I asked the nurse what I should do, and she said that they only delivered the medication and if there was something missing, I needed to contact the hospital. I phoned the hospital but no one answered and then I ran out of airtime. The next day my neighbour went for her doctor’s appointment and also came home without her high blood tablets.”
The resident who is in her 50s, said doctors warned her that interrupting her medication could lead to a stroke or heart attack. She saw the doctors at Retreat Day Hospital every six months and collected her chronic medication monthly at the Retreat Civic Centre.
“I’m really frightened,” she said. “I have to wait another three weeks for my next appointment, and what if there still isn’t medicine then?”
Department confirms shortage
Western Cape Health Department spokesperson Shimoney Regter confirmed there was a shortage of medicine.
“We understand medicine shortages can be worrying for patients and their families. Supply challenges across South Africa and internationally are driven by several factors, including manufacturing delays, global shipping disruptions, regulatory processes and supply-chain constraints. Delays relate to national contracts have also contributed.
“The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is working closely with suppliers, the National Department of Health and other partners to secure medicines, source alternatives where possible and minimise disruptions to patient care. While supplies of some medicines have improved, stock remains under pressure, and rebuilding reserve stock at the Cape Medical Depot will take time.”
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