While the health minister tried to blame supplier shortages for the reported “stockouts” of essential drugs‚ the Stop Stock Outs Project (SSP) said “only 20% of reported cases are found to be caused by manufacturing issues”. Business Day reported on Monday that Dr Aaron Motsoaledi attributed shortages to suppliers that did not inform the government in time when they experienced difficulties with supplies or decided to discontinue products.“When a shortage occurs it is very easy to fiercely attack government for a ‘noncaring attitude‚ incompetence‚ cadre deployment and corruption’ as claimed by the Treatment Action Campaign. I must inform you that this shortage is a result of circumstances beyond our control‚" Dr Motsoaledi told a media briefing on Sunday.Motsoaledi also said provincial health departments usually discovered that suppliers were experiencing problems only long after placing orders‚ because companies did not disclose them "to protect their brand".Replacing suppliers was often not practical as companies usually needed at least six weeks to deliver the first order.The SSP‚ however‚ found that “80% of cases are caused by management and logistical challenges between the medicine depot and clinics at provincial and district levels”.“These include incorrect quantities of drugs being ordered by clinics‚ inaccurate forecasting of drugs per population‚ and poor stock management at facility level‚” an SSP statement said.“The national department of health commitment to solving the problem is key to reducing stockouts‚ but it requires implementation and commitment at province‚ district and facility level if we are to see bold changes that ensure medicine is always available in every clinic‚” SPS’s Bella Hwang said...