NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 945
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 AUGUST 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 12)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether any pilot trials have been conducted on using private
pharmacies to distribute medicine for state patients; if not, what is
the position in this regard; if so, (a) where, (b) when and (c) with
what success;
(2) whether there are any plans to implement such a system across the
country; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1048E
REPLY:
1) Yes.
(a) In KwaZulu-Natal Province, Ethekwini district which included
private sector pharmacies in the area south of Durban i.e.
Chatsworth and Umlazi townships.
b) From 1 December 2007 until 31 May 2009.
c) The final results of the pilot project have not yet been
released.
(2) No decision has yet been taken as the complete report of above-
mentioned feasibility study is still to be presented to the
KwaZulu/Natal Provincial Department of Health.
END.