The Western Cape Government has renewed its call for urgent national intervention as medicine supply challenges continue to affect patients across South Africa.

Provincial Health and Wellness MEC Mireille Wenger says that reliable access to medication remains critical, especially for patients managing chronic illnesses.

Medicine availability is being impacted by a range of problems across the national pharmaceutical supply chain.

These include manufacturing and regulatory challenges, supplier constraints, import and customs delays, as well as delays in testing and releasing medicines.

Wenger first raised concerns about medication stock-outs in June this year ahead of a National Health Council meeting.

The Western Cape Health Department has introduced weekly monitoring of stock levels and supplier performance. It is also redistributing medicines between healthcare facilities and sourcing alternatives where possible.

When prescribed medication is unavailable, pharmacists and clinicians provide suitable therapeutic substitutes.