Health Minister Motsoaledi confirms ARV supply continuity amid supplier challenges
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi reassures South Africans of uninterrupted ARV supply amid concerns over supplier business rescues.
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Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi stated on Wednesday that no patients have been affected by the two ARV suppliers currently undergoing the business rescue process.
Motsoaledi reassured the public that provinces possess an adequate stock of ARVs to cover three months of treatment.
“Not a single patient in the country has been affected by the business rescue of these companies. It was planned right from the beginning that nobody ought to be affected by any risk because it would be dangerous,” he said.
The minister confirmed that if one company is unable to supply the necessary medications, the department can simply turn to the next supplier.
“All patients continue to receive their ARVs and other medication; there has never been any disruption whatsoever,” he added.
Motsoaledi made these statements while leading a departmental team to brief the Health Portfolio Committee on contingency measures following the placement of Avacare Health subsidiaries, Barrs Pharmaceuticals Industries, and Innovata Pharmaceuticals into business rescue in December 2025.
During the briefing, he informed parliamentarians that the department has implemented measures to prevent any stock-outs of medicine. Motsoaledi explained that the department utilises an accurate electronic system for clinics and hospitals to monitor stock levels within the public health system.
“Following confirmation of the supplier constraints, because of these systems, the department activated contingency measures by engaging other suppliers to increase production so that they supply the volumes we need,” he said.
He further noted that based on national consumption data and ongoing stock monitoring, provinces currently hold sufficient stocks of the affected ARV medicines to meet approximately three months of expected demand.
“At a supplier level, current stock levels include approximately two months’ supply across four suppliers, with additional volumes to be increased in line with the department’s adaptive supply plan,” he added.
According to Motsoaledi, it is in the best interests of both the department and the people of South Africa to ensure that suppliers do not experience any disruptions. “As much as that is our hope, in the world there are pharmaceutical-associated risks,” he acknowledged.
He elaborated on the various risks associated with pharmaceutical supplies, including manufacturing disruptions, regulatory hurdles, raw material shortages, and logistical constraints, which can impact any supplier during the contract term.
Motsoaledi explained that the ARV tender was intentionally awarded to multiple suppliers as a risk-mitigation measure to ensure continuity of supply in case any individual supplier faces production, financial, or operational challenges.
“By diversifying supply sources, the department can respond swiftly to supplier-specific challenges by adjusting orders among contracted suppliers, thereby minimising the risk of stock-outs. This strategy strengthens system resilience, ensures sustained product availability, and supports the integrity and reliability of the public health supply chain,” he stated.
He reiterated that if any company encounters operational challenges, the next supplier would take over.
“By diversifying the supplier sources, the department responds swiftly. If you fail, the department does not negotiate. We go to the next person to minimise stock-outs because it will be dangerous for the country and individuals who need these drugs,” the minister emphasised.
A presentation to the committee revealed that 15 companies were awarded the ARV tender and specified volumes.
“I am glad that no patient has been impacted due to issues with companies that are going bankrupt,” DA MP Karl le Roux said.
However, other parliamentarians raised concerns about how the lack of impact on patients regarding ARV supplies is defined and measured at health facilities beyond stocktake data.
In response, Motsoaledi insisted that there has been no impact on patients as they continue to receive their ARVs.
“As far as patients are concerned, they get all ARVs. If they never got them, it would be any other reason we don’t know, not the reason of the business rescue problem that has happened. So far, we are comfortable, and that is why we are sure there has not been an impact on patients.”