By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed a shortage of live-saving Adrenalin at several facilities across the province, including at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto.
Adrenaline injections are used as a first-line drug in cardiac arrest cases for resuscitation. It’s also used as a medical treatment for life-threatening emergencies.
As of 1 June 2023, the Baragwanath hospital had ordered 54,960 units based on consumption, but had only received 18,270 units, meaning only a third of their order had been filled. The hospital uses between 8,000 and 12,000 units of Adrenaline a month.
A letter widely circulated this week set out the damning outline of multiple failings that led to this looming medical disaster. The letter, written by Dr Jacqui Brown, chairperson of the pharmacy and therapeutics committee at Chris Hani Baragwanath is dated 13 August 2023. It’s addressed to the hospital CEO, the acting CEO of the medical supplies depot and the head of the National Department of Health’s Affordable Medicines Directorate.
Brown writes that continued shortages have led to rationing of Adrenaline in the hospital as doctors and pharmacists have tried to reserve stock for the Intensive Care Unit. The hospital has also had to resort to alternative drugs, including noradrenalin, a more costly drug.
In response, the department says the shortage of Adrenalin began in May due to the supplier not meeting its contractual obligations.
The department’s spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the supplier, PharmaQ, is struggling to cope with the demand.
A majority of our facilities have one-month stockholding instead of the usual two months. PharmaQ is only supplying limited quantities. The reason cited by the company is load shedding, which has now been addressed as they say they have made provision for alternative power supply.
“The National Department of Health, as the contract owners, are in continuous discussion with the supplier to address the challenges experienced.”
Modiba says the shortage has not had an impact on patients.
“During this period, no patient’s health has been compromised, as clinicians are managing the situation based on patient need. In instances where cases are in need of Adrenaline, the drug is administered without. Those who are stable are given other medication to manage their condition.”
The latest crisis at Bara has come to light among a growing culture of intimidation, harassment and victimisation of those who raise the alarm. In recent months, Bara has faced crises including a shortage of food for patients, interruption of waste removal services and a lack of maintenance leading to burst pipes flooding theatres.