The Department of Health says approved equivalent medicines may look different while containing the same active ingredient and strength.
South Africa’s Department of Health says medicine supplies in the public health system remain stable, responding to concerns about stock availability and changes in the appearance of medicines dispensed at clinics and hospitals.
The department said on Tuesday that a different colour, shape, package or manufacturer does not necessarily mean a medicine has changed. Public facilities can receive the same active ingredient and strength from more than one approved supplier, which means patients may be given equivalent products at different times.
According to the department, medicines procured for public facilities must meet regulatory and quality requirements. It said approved equivalent products are intended to provide the same therapeutic benefit, allowing healthcare workers to dispense an alternative when a particular brand or pack size is unavailable.
The statement follows reports from several provinces that some medicines appeared to be out of stock or that patients were receiving products that looked different from those supplied previously. The department said a temporary shortage of one supplier’s product does not always mean treatment is unavailable if an approved equivalent remains in stock.
Medicine supply chains can still be affected by manufacturing disruptions, shortages of raw materials, international demand, transport delays and changes between procurement contracts. The department said it monitors availability through the National Surveillance Centre and the Stock Visibility System, which is used to identify potential supply problems and coordinate responses with provinces, facilities and suppliers.
Patients who are uncertain about a change in their medicine’s appearance should ask the dispensing doctor, pharmacist or nurse to confirm the product and dosage. The department did not provide province-by-province stock figures in its statement.
SABC News separately reported the department’s assurance on Tuesday afternoon, noting its explanation that changes in colour, shape and packaging do not mean the medicine itself has changed.
