Essential medicine shortages are forcing South Africa’s public hospitals and clinics to find alternatives or give patients prescriptions to fill at private pharmacies. The National Health Department’s October hotlist flagged 165 products in critically short supply, including treatments for cancer and severe mental illness. Its November master products list includes 1,135 medicines that provinces can procure.
Andy Gray, a senior lecturer in pharmaceutical sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, described the shortages as the worst he had seen. He cited congestion at the Port of Durban, production and shipping disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East, and overdue provincial bills that prompted some suppliers to halt deliveries.