Cancer treatment stock replenished nationwide

Cancer treatment drugs are among 47 essential pharmaceutical and clinical supply items delivered to public health facilities across Namibia, the health ministry confirmed last week.

The latest deliveries, received since the ministry’s last update on 4 June, include key chemotherapy medicines such as hydroxyurea capsules, gemcitabine, irinotecan, cytarabine, filgrastim, rituximab (10 mg and 500 mg) and fluorouracil injections.

The consignment comprises 27 medicine items and 20 clinical supply items distributed to public health facilities nationwide.

Other medicines received include acyclovir tablets, paracetamol syrup, and antibiotics such as clindamycin, ampicillin, co-trimoxazole and cefuroxime injections, as well as tuberculosis medication, HIV test kits, heparin injections, nifedipine slow-release tablets, intravenous fluids, silver sulfadiazine burn cream, simvastatin tablets, vitamin supplements and oxytocin injections.

According to the ministry, the supplies form part of ongoing emergency procurement measures aimed at addressing immediate shortages, while longer-term bulk procurement is underway to stabilise stock levels at public health facilities.

The update comes a month after the ministry acknowledged widespread shortages of essential medicines and clinical supplies, saying it was relying on emergency and direct procurement measures while working to rebuild stocks.

“Additional deliveries of essential medicines are expected in the coming weeks," the ministry said.

It added that stock levels will continue to be monitored as efforts continue to address remaining stock-outs and understocked medicines across the country.

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