News & Updates

 

PLASA is the National Association and Unified voice representing South Africa’s & Sub-Saharan Africa’s Pharmaceutical and Healthcare logistics sector.

PLASA continues working to resolve a number of issues common to all pharmaceutical logistics service providers.

Some of these issues are longstanding and embedded in legislation. The flawed Single Exit Pricing system, used to inadequately reimburse distributors and wholesalers, is just one example and has been, and still is the subject of constant negotiation with the Minister of Health and his Pricing Committee.

Other issues on the table for urgent discussion with the National Department of Health (NDoH) are firstly, the inconsistent legislation (Board Notice 50) relating to the minimum standards for the procurement, storage and distribution of fridge lines. Secondly, are PLASA’s efforts to adjust the current system to permit member wholesalers to distribute COVID 19 vaccines, to outlying rural areas.

PLASA’s involvement, together with the NDoH, B4SA and the Essential Services Committee (ESC), in an application to be designated essential service providers.

The resultant order designated that certain personnel should be essential, and that all wholesalers and distributors have an obligation to submit a Minimum Service Agreement (MSA) to the ESC. PLASA’s legal team provides a Minimum Service Agreement ‘template’ to assist all Members to complete and submit their individual MSA.

Other issues, as they arise, are put forward by PLASA members and discussed internally and then, by mutual agreement, submitted to the relevant authority for debate and discussion.
Although some complaints seem to fall on deaf ears, PLASA has the resilience, tenacity and capacity to continue arguing its case.

PLASA provides businesses of like mind the opportunity of sharing and debating mutual issues, and then speaking powerfully with one voice, rather than being one lonely voice in the wilderness.

NHI

NHI

by | Dec 23, 2025 |

NHI Risk Alert: for South Africa’s Healthcare Logistics Sector – (NHI) represents one of the most significant healthcare reforms in the country’s history.

Cold Chain

Cold Chain

by | Mar 14, 2022 |

Providing a Cold Chain service has, over time, become an increasingly important part of the service provided by the pharmaceutical distribution sector.

Vaccines

Vaccines

by | Mar 14, 2022 |

Throughout the second half of 2021, and to the present time, PLASA has worked closely with the government, the ICPA and Medikredit to set up a mechanism …

Upscheduling of Codeine

Upscheduling of Codeine

by | Mar 14, 2022 |

PLASA is and has been an active member of the Codeine Care initiative A few years ago it was realised globally, and in South Africa, that the growing and extensive misuse …

PLASA the Vital Link in Healthcare Logistics