In the medicine value chain, contract management follows the award of a contract. Contract Management Unit (CMU) is responsible to ensure that all parties including the demanders and suppliers fully understand their obligations and responsibilities as stated on the General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and Special Requirements and Conditions of Contract (SRCC).

There are many factors that challenge supply chain processes and ultimately affect medicine availability and accessibility. These supply challenges prompt CMU to embark on interventions to manage stock outs in the short-term, some of these interventions are listed below:

• Investigation of medicine availability from all registered manufacturers (non-contracted) and obtaining quotations to address the shortfall in supply. Non-contracted manufacturers do not produce high volumes used in the public sector and are therefore only able to provide limited quantities.
• Working with manufacturing suppliers and provinces to promote rational use of the available stock during the period of supply shortage where there are no therapeutic alternatives.
• Obtaining authorisation from South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) in terms of Section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act to source stock from other countries in the event that there is insufficient stock in South Africa, to address shortages.