Pharmaceutical Logistics Association of South Africa
The voice of healthcare logistics.
Connecting the industry.
Strengthening the supply chain.
Supporting reliable access to medicines through industry representation, policy engagement and collaboration.
PLASA brings together organisations across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa to address the regulatory, operational and commercial challenges shaping medicine supply.
About PLASA
Logistics is essential to healthcare.
Equitable access to medicines depends on a reliable, compliant and economically sustainable supply chain.
PLASA provides a collective industry platform for pharmaceutical wholesalers, distributors, logistics providers, manufacturers and specialist service partners.
Through engagement with government, regulators and healthcare stakeholders, we work to address the issues affecting medicine availability, distribution and patient access.
The scale of healthcare
South Africa’s healthcare logistics in numbers.
Behind the market value: medicines stored, orders fulfilled, healthcare providers served and patients supplied.
R62bn
Private market value
Pharmaceutical market · ZAR
R10bn
Public sector value
Pharmaceutical market · ZAR
21,883
Pharmaceutical products
South African market
620m
Private market volume
Medicine units
488m
Public sector volume
Medicine units
753
Manufacturers
South African market
Source: IQVIA · Reporting period: 2025/2026 · South African market · ZAR – South African Rands. Source attribution identifies the origin of these statistics; it does not imply membership, a partnership or endorsement.
Understanding healthcare logistics
Different roles. A shared purpose.
From stockholding and delivery to coordinating connected networks, healthcare logistics brings together a range of specialist services.
Stockholding & supply
Wholesalers
Pharmaceutical wholesalers
Purchase and own medicines, supplying pharmacies, hospitals and other authorised customers through stockholding, trade credit provision, order fulfilment and delivery.
Manufacturer partnerships
Distributors
Pharmaceutical distributors
Typically act as manufacturers’ agents, providing clearing and forwarding, managing storage, cold-chain requirements and specialised products, and handling orders and bulk distribution without taking ownership of the medicines.
Outsourced operations
3PL
Third-party logistics
Provide outsourced warehousing, cold-chain storage, transport, distribution and returns management.
Supply-chain coordination
4PL
Fourth-party logistics
Coordinate multiple logistics providers, systems and processes through a central supply-chain management partner.
Connected digital networks
5PL
Fifth-party logistics
Use digital platforms, analytics and automation to orchestrate logistics networks across multiple supply chains.
These roles can overlap. Services vary by provider, contractual arrangements and applicable licensing requirements. 5PL describes an evolving operating model, not a pharmaceutical licence category.
What we do
Representing the sector where it matters.
01
Advocacy & policy
Bringing industry experience into policy, regulatory and stakeholder discussions.
02
Sustainable logistics
Supporting distribution economics that recognise service, compliance and continuity.
03
Industry collaboration
Connecting organisations and specialists to address shared challenges.
04
Innovation & Development
Encouraging technology, skills and operational excellence across the sector.
Selected advocacy priorities
Issues shaping pharmaceutical logistics.
A collective voice in the discussions that determine how medicines reach patients.
Medicine pricing & logistics remuneration
The economics and sustainability of pharmaceutical distribution.
NHI & healthcare supply chains
Recognition of the infrastructure and capability needed for equitable and sustainable medicine access.
Medicine availability & resilience
Collaboration on medicine shortages, communication, prevention of falsified and counterfeit medicines, and secure supply channels.
PLASA Insights
News & industry perspectives.
Industry engagement, practical knowledge and valuable perspectives on healthcare logistics.
Member update · 26 May 2026
Developing practical member benefits
Compliance, regulatory and legal expertise, packaging, workwear and efficient service provision.
Regulatory update · 1 April 2026
Essential services: the ESC determination
The retained pharmaceutical service categories and PLASA’s participation in the successful outcome.
Leadership forum · 8 October 2025
Automation, data and design
Lessons for efficient, resilient and scalable healthcare supply chains.
Executive insight · Irshad Joosub
Global Conflict. Local Consequences.
Freight disruption, cost volatility and preparedness for medicine supply.
Membership
A stronger industry needs a stronger collective voice.
Engage on issues that no organisation can effectively address alone.
Members connect through representation, sector intelligence, networking and opportunities to contribute to the future of pharmaceutical logistics.
01
Representation
A collective voice in engagements affecting the sector.
02
Intelligence
Relevant policy, regulatory and industry developments.
03
Connection
Dialogue with organisations and leaders across the healthcare supply chain.
PLASA events
Where the sector meets.
Knowledge-sharing
Industry webinars
Focused discussions on regulatory, technology and operational topics. Register interest in future sessions.
Executive dialogue
Leadership roundtables
Conversations on the sector’s strategic priorities and shared challenges.
Annual gathering
Conference 2027 Upcoming
A 2027 healthcare logistics gathering for knowledge, networking and industry solutions. Register your interest.
Join PLASA
Help shape the future of pharmaceutical logistics.
Join organisations working together to strengthen medicine supply, industry capability and patient access.
Who we work with
A connected healthcare logistics sector.
Members & industry
Wholesalers, distributors, logistics providers, manufacturers, healthcare providers, and specialist service partners.
Government & regulators
Dialogue on safe, compliant, equitable and sustainable medicine supply.
Knowledge & commercial partners
Relevant research, learning and clearly disclosed commercial opportunities.
Our origins are in NAPW, with the transition to PLASA in 2011. Meet our team.
Contact PLASA
Start a membership or industry conversation.
Send your enquiry here. You can also request PLASA news and event updates.
The Healthcare Logistics Association for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa