Depot licence controversy raises concerns, but Health Department confirms compliance

A RECENT alarm over medicine shortages in the Northern Cape has sparked confusion after the Democratic Alliance (DA) flagged a potential licensing lapse at the province’s main pharmaceutical depot in Kimberley.

However, the Department of Health has since come forward to confirm that the Dr Arthur Letele Medical Logistics Depot is, in fact, fully licensed and operational.

Recently, DA provincial spokesperson on health, Isak Fritz, raised the alarm, claiming that the depot could not distribute medication due to an expired licence. He warned that this administrative failure was contributing to medicine stock-outs across various districts, with serious implications for patients relying on chronic treatment.

Fritz noted that, without a valid licence, the depot would not legally be allowed to handle or dispatch medical stock. He described the issue as a major oversight by the Department of Health and called for immediate intervention and accountability from senior officials.

But in a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Northern Cape Department of Health refuted the claims, confirming that the depot’s licence was indeed renewed in time.

“The Northern Cape Department of Health confirms that the licence of Dr Arthur Letele Medical Logistics Depot was renewed on time,” said department spokesperson Lulu Mxekezo. “It is therefore not true that the facility is not registered with SAHPRA.”

Mxekezo also assured the public that the medication supply chain remains intact. “As soon as medication is received at the depot, it is distributed to all districts according to what they have ordered,” she added.

While the DA’s concerns highlighted longstanding issues around medicine availability in the province, the department's response suggests that the current distribution challenges may be linked more to supply chain delays than regulatory non-compliance.

The DA has submitted parliamentary questions seeking clarity on where medicine shortages are occurring, which drugs are affected, and whether the Provincial Medical Depot is facing additional logistical issues.

Fritz emphasised that transparency and efficiency are critical in maintaining public trust. “We will continue to monitor the situation and press for answers. Patients should not bear the brunt of poor planning or administrative confusion,” he said.

Despite the clarification on the licensing status, the broader issue of consistent medicine availability remains under scrutiny. The coming days may reveal whether the depot’s processes are efficient enough to meet the province’s ongoing healthcare needs.