Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
29 January 2026

ARV supply secure despite supplier challenges 📸

The Department of Health has reassured HIV-positive South Africans that there is no shortage of antiretroviral (ARV) medicines, despite reports that two suppliers under the current ARV tender have entered business rescue.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Khadija Jamaloodien, Chief Director for the Sector Procurement Division at the Department, emphasised that current stock levels are sufficient and that provincial stores hold enough supplies to meet immediate demand. “At any given stage when you award a contract, it may be that the supplier will have a problem. So to mitigate any risk, we award to multiple suppliers,” she explained.

South Africa’s ARV program is the largest in the world, making it critical to maintain careful oversight when awarding and managing supplier contracts. For first-line ARVs, the Department awards contracts to eight suppliers for the 30-day packs and seven suppliers for the 90-day packs. This multi-supplier strategy ensures continuity of supply even if one supplier experiences difficulties.

The recent business rescue cases arose after contracts were awarded. “We had no foreknowledge that these companies would enter business rescue. But that doesn’t mean they are not a going concern. They have committed to continue supplying,” Jamaloodien said.

Questions have been raised about due diligence when awarding contracts, particularly regarding the financial stability of suppliers. Jamaloodien clarified that while checks are made to ensure compliance with tax regulations, registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), and site visits to verify operations, the Department does not routinely assess a company’s financial health. “The expectation is that the company is viable and capable of supplying. We do monitor the market and adjust as needed,” she added.

Looking ahead, the Department intends to continue relying on its multi-supplier approach to safeguard the ARV supply chain. Should one supplier be unable to deliver, other contracted suppliers are expected to increase their output to meet demand. “We don’t want to find ourselves in a state where we don’t have any medicines,” Jamaloodien said.

This proactive planning underscores the Department’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to life-saving ARVs for millions of South Africans living with HIV.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and Khadija Jamaloodien.