Health ministry confirms procuring unregistered malaria drug

The health ministry has confirmed that it procured N$450 000 worth of unregistered quinine malaria drugs, which entered Namibia illegally from India last month. However, officials have not disclosed how much of the medicine, if any, has been administered to patients or whether it poses a health risk to those who consumed it.Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao, delivering a ministerial statement in parliament yesterday, acknowledged the illegal importation of the medicine. The matter was first raised on social media by activist and lawmaker Professor Job Amupanda.Luvindao confirmed that the imported quinine sulphate, which the ministry acquired for N$450 000, is not registered in Namibia.Urgency underlined On 21 May, the ministry defended its decision to procure the medicine from West Pharmaceuticals without issuing an open tender, citing urgency due to a surge in malaria cases across the country.“West Pharmaceuticals was selected based on its ability to deliver the required commodities within one week, thereby ensuring continuity of treatment and preventing possible stockouts that could have led to more avoidable deaths,” the ministry said at the time.Amupanda alleged that the consignment was procured at an inflated cost. In response, the ministry said: “The cost of pharmaceutical products is heavily influenced by global market dynamics, including supply and demand. In the context of an outbreak, such conditions often result in elevated prices for high-demand items like quinine.”At the time, medical experts also questioned the use of quinine, describing it as a cheap and outdated treatment for malaria. The ministry responded: “While Artemether-Lumefantrine remains the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria, Quinine 300 mg tablets continue to play a vital role as a second-line treatment. These tablets are especially crucial for patients who experience adverse reactions to first-line medications or who fall into vulnerable groups such as pregnant women.”Multiple violations Yesterday, the minister confirmed several disturbing details about the consignment, including serious breaches of Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) rules.She cited multiple violations of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, 2003, including the sale of unregistered medicines. “Section 27 [of the Act] requires NMRC authorisation for the sale of unregistered medicines, and no such approval was granted. Section 45 mandates exemptions from the minister or authorised officials, and none was issued in this case,” Luvindao said.“Regulation 37 prohibits entry through unauthorised ports, yet this product entered via the Ngoma border post, which is not designated for pharmaceutical imports," she added. Additionally, the supplier failed to deliver the approved product. Instead of the registered Aspen Pharmaceuticals brand from South Africa, an unregistered brand from India was brought into the country.“These contraventions are unacceptable and represent a serious breach of the regulatory framework,” Luvindao said.The minister called for immediate corrective action: “We need to deploy medicine inspectors at all ports of entry and decentralise regulatory oversight. We are actively exploring solutions across government to close these dangerous gaps in border control and inspection.”Lessons learned Luvindao confirmed that the responsible company could face prosecution under the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act and possible debarment under the Public Procurement Act.“All parties found to have contravened the law will be dealt with accordingly. No special treatment will be afforded at the expense of the Namibian people,” Luvindao said firmly.She underlined further that the ministry is taking the matter very seriously. "We are committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions or inactions, ensuring that such incidents do not recur, and not merely offering a one-time solution.”The ministry had previously stated that, in order to ensure full accountability and transparency, no payment had been made to the supplier in question, pending a full investigation.“The consignment has been quarantined while the ministry, in collaboration with the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), verifies all import documentation,” it said.“A comprehensive internal review of the procurement is underway to institute long-term procurement arrangements to source supplies from manufacturers as the main mode of procurement going forward, while drawing lessons to strengthen future emergency procurement processes when such situations arise.”

Health ministry confirms procuring unregistered malaria drug

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-04

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Health ministry confirms procuring unregistered malaria drug

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-04

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