Question NW543 to the Minister of Health

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04 June 2020 - NW543

Profile picture: Ismail, Ms H

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) are the relevant details of all tenders awarded by his department for psychiatric drugs at each province and (b) measurements are put in place by his department to ensure that there is always a full range of drugs for psychiatric patients at the hospitals?

Reply:

a) Tenders for pharmaceuticals are awarded at a National level. Provinces, as participants to the contract, procure pharmaceuticals using the National contract. The contract information for all pharmaceuticals are available on the Department of Health’s website. The contract details for psychiatric medicines is attached as Annexure A.

b) The medicine selection process is an evidence-based clinical peer review process aimed at determining which medicines are most appropriate for use in South Africa. The Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List available as an application for your cell phone provides guidance to clinical practitioners on the safe and appropriate use of medicines for specific indications. There are chapters that are dedicated to psychiatry in the Standard Treatment Guidelines.

In preparation for the award of tenders, forecasting is done in collaboration with provinces using a defined methodology. The tender forecast is enriched using epidemiological data often in consultation with content experts such as psychiatrists. Furthermore, in accordance with the conditions of contract, suppliers are obliged to maintain two months of buffer. Additionally, there are contract managers who actively manage supplier performance to ensure that medicines are available.

Electronic stock management systems have also been implemented at facilities that provide the necessary information to managers at appropriate levels to intervene should the need arise.

END.

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