Concerns are growing over shortages of essential medicines in South Africa, with some products reportedly having been unavailable for several months.
The medicines affected include epilepsy treatment, folic acid, contraceptives and various antibiotics.
However, Pharmaceutical Task Group chairperson Dr Stavros Nicolaou says there is no need for panic, with the industry working to manage the shortages.
Nicolaou says manufacturing challenges are among the factors contributing to the problem.
He says pharmaceutical manufacturers are facing rising production costs while trying to ensure patients continue to have access to essential medicines.
Nicolaou says the cost of producing some medicines has increased by between 30% and 40%, largely due to higher oil-related costs linked to the Middle East Gulf crisis.
He says the industry received a 1.4% price increase in January, which has not kept pace with rising production costs.
Nicolaou says pharmaceutical manufacturers are engaging with government to find ways of managing the shortages and maintaining the supply of medicines.
He says compliance issues have also resulted in the closure of some manufacturing facilities, further affecting supply.
Another challenge is the decline in local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, which has reduced production volumes and contributed to disruptions in the medicine supply chain.