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Eastern Cape Faces TB Drug Crisis Amid Global Shortage
Time to read: 01:12
Published: 27 March 2025
The Eastern Cape is experiencing a critical shortage of TB medications, forcing health workers to ration supplies. At Motherwell Community Health Centre in Gqeberha, only five boxes of Rifinah—a fixed-dose combination of rifampicin and isoniazid—remain. With around 20 TB patients seen daily, the usual four-month supply has been reduced to just seven days per patient.
In 2023, South Africa diagnosed 270,000 new TB cases, with over 240,000 people undergoing treatment. Standard TB treatment lasts six months, with Rifinah required for the final four months. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed a global shortage of rifamycins, including rifampicin, the most potent first-line TB drug.
The WHO attributes the shortage to two key factors: the sudden closure of a supplier affecting the availability of prequalified active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and increased demand from high-TB-burden countries shifting to WHO-prequalified suppliers. This has strained the global supply chain.
Most provinces in South Africa are affected, except for the North West Provinces, which has reported an 83% TB drug availability.
Efforts are underway to expand API suppliers and manage demand, with a resolution expected by May 2025. However, concerns remain about treatment adherence and rising TB cases.
In the interim, the DOH released a circular providing guidance on alternative treatment. The circular is available below for more information.
Access the circular
Health Department Notice | Supply Constraints with Rifampicin-based combinations for TV Treatment. Interim Therapuetic Alternatives, 6 March 2025 ( PDF)
This article was compiled with information obtained from various sources including:
24 March 2025 | eHealth News | Eastern Cape Hit By TB Drug Shortage Due To Global Supply Issues
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