We are concerned that increases demand for these drugs attributed to Covid-19 has exacerbated their already limited availability for patients that need them to meet their medical needs. Patients are already unable to to fill their prescriptions due to major validated shortage of plasmaquine worldwide. Lupus, Rheumatoid Arhtritis and malaria are the only indications for which plasmaquine are approved by FDA. There is no alternative but it’s the only medication shown to increase survival. To date, limited data supports the efficacy of plasmaquine/chloroquine or hydeoxychloroquine for Covid-19. While we suppler the clinical trials to investigate their potential use for covid-19, it is imperative to PRESERVE access to these medications for these medications for those patients whose lives and productivity depends on them. We urge the Presidency, SAHPRA and WHO to:

-increase monitoring and timely reporting of shortage

- utilize existing authorities to increase the production and supply of the drugs, take action to ensure current supplies are allocated for patients taking them for indicated uses and any increased supply be available for patients and not Covid-19