Unpacking the process of developing South Africa's national drug policy - lessons for universal health coverage.

Background: South Africa's National Drug Policy (NDP) was first issued in 1996, at a time of considerable political change.

Objectives: To revisit the lessons learned from the process of development and initial implementation of the NDP.

Methods: Six in-depth face-to-face interviews were held with purposively-selected key actors. Interviews, which followed pre-determined semi-structured questions, but were allowed to explore additional areas, were recorded and transcribed, and then subjected to abductive thematic analysis, informed by the Walt and Gilson model.

Results: Three key themes emerged, described as 'evidence', 'trust' and 'looking forward'. A paucity of evidence backed some of the key concepts in the NDP, and these have not been addressed as evidence has matured. The lack of trust which characterised the policy process impacted on the ways in which actors were able to or not able to engage, and therefore on the resultant content and the choices exercised. The coherence of the policy, its articulation with other health reforms, and its contribution to subsequent efforts to ensure universal health coverage in South Africa have all been weakened by the failure to revise the document over time.

Conclusion: As South Africa advances its plans for universal health coverage, there is an urgent need to revisit key components of the NDP which are no longer fit for purpose.