An airport processing backlog of inbound cargo which resulted in chronic medicine not reaching pharmacies on time has been resolved, Business Unity SA (Busa) and the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) reports.
According to Saaff and Busa's latest Cargo Movement Update (CMU), “the backlog on South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) and Border Management Authority (BMA) submissions at OR Tambo International Airport has been cleared.”
This follows the successful resolution of technical issues that an independent source on 8 May said were caused by relocation-related problems experienced by Sahpra.
At the time the source said: “Sahpra's lease with Airports Company South Africa wasn’t renewed, resulting in the regulatory body losing office access at South Africa’s busiest airport.”
According to the latest CMU, “there are ongoing efforts between SA Revenue Service and other government agencies (OGAs) to move closer towards a co-operative digital process, especially concerning the balance between human resources available for inspections and OGAs.
“Sahpra has been requested to share an official communique in respect of processing times on documentary inspections in support of submissions from trade.”
According to Saaff and Busa, submissions are processed Monday to Friday before 10.30am.
