SA should measure medicine shortages by whether patients receive their full treatment on time, rather than relying solely on stock levels. - Daily Maverick (7 Oct 2026).
While generic medicines can legitimately differ in packaging or appearance, stock held at suppliers or facilities does not guarantee patient access.
Historical evidence shows that stockouts can result in patients leaving without medicines or incomplete treatment, while higher TB stockouts are associated with poorer treatment outcomes.
“The proposed solution is patient-level reporting: track how many patients receive complete prescriptions at their first visit, with referrals followed until treatment is obtained. District-level data could expose supply-chain failures and improve accountability.”