Unregistered malaria meds distributed despite ministry denial
Despite initially claiming that a consignment of unregistered malaria treatment tablets from India had been fully confiscated and quarantined, the health ministry has since issued instructions to public health facilities across Namibia to return the same medicine by this Friday.
Health ministry executive director Penda Ithindi last week said no patients had been treated with the quinine sulphate tablets, which entered the country illegally in May after a controversial procurement process.
The consignment, worth N$450 000, was imported without the required registration or public tender.
“The consignment in its entirety is confiscated at the cost of the importer. It is currently quarantined by NamRA in collaboration with the Medicines Regulatory Council,” Ithindi confirmed last week.
However, a circular dated 11 June, signed by the ministry’s director of pharmaceutical services, Naita Nghishekwa, contradicts Ithindi's statement.
Sent medicine back
In the circular, Nghishekwa ordered all public health facilities to immediately return the quinine sulphate BP 300 mg tablets, Batch No. 005553, manufactured by Africure Pharmaceuticals (India) Pvt Ltd, to the Central Medical Stores by Friday.
“The ministry herewith instructs all facilities that received and/or have the stated quinine sulphate BP 300 mg tablets, to return it to the Central Medical Stores by latest Friday, 20 June 2025,” the circular reads.
“It is important to adhere to the stated deadline date, due to the dynamics of reverse logistics, and also to allow the Central Medical Stores to submit respective report, requested by the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC), timeously. No return of the stated stock shall be accepted after the closing date."
The directive applies to all public hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and health centres nationwide.
The ministry has defended its emergency procurement of the drug, citing the urgent need to curb a malaria outbreak. However, concerns are now mounting that the urgency may have resulted in the distribution – and possibly the administration – of the unregistered medicine to patients.
Mum on contradiction
As of yesterday, Ithindi had not responded to questions regarding the apparent contradiction between his earlier assurance and the recall notice.
The ministry has not yet issued a public advisory regarding the safety of the medication, nor has it confirmed whether any health risks have been identified.
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao, addressing parliament on 10 June, admitted to multiple violations related to the procurement process of the medicine, including breaches of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act of 2003 and the substitution of an unregistered Indian-manufactured product in place of an approved South African brand.
“These contraventions are unacceptable and represent a serious breach of the regulatory framework,” Luvindao said, adding that those responsible will face prosecution and possible debarment under the Public Procurement Act.
The tablets were sourced from West Pharmaceuticals without a public tender, under emergency procurement provisions.
Health ministry executive director Penda Ithindi last week said no patients had been treated with the quinine sulphate tablets, which entered the country illegally in May after a controversial procurement process.
The consignment, worth N$450 000, was imported without the required registration or public tender.
“The consignment in its entirety is confiscated at the cost of the importer. It is currently quarantined by NamRA in collaboration with the Medicines Regulatory Council,” Ithindi confirmed last week.
However, a circular dated 11 June, signed by the ministry’s director of pharmaceutical services, Naita Nghishekwa, contradicts Ithindi's statement.
Sent medicine back
In the circular, Nghishekwa ordered all public health facilities to immediately return the quinine sulphate BP 300 mg tablets, Batch No. 005553, manufactured by Africure Pharmaceuticals (India) Pvt Ltd, to the Central Medical Stores by Friday.
“The ministry herewith instructs all facilities that received and/or have the stated quinine sulphate BP 300 mg tablets, to return it to the Central Medical Stores by latest Friday, 20 June 2025,” the circular reads.
“It is important to adhere to the stated deadline date, due to the dynamics of reverse logistics, and also to allow the Central Medical Stores to submit respective report, requested by the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC), timeously. No return of the stated stock shall be accepted after the closing date."
The directive applies to all public hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and health centres nationwide.
The ministry has defended its emergency procurement of the drug, citing the urgent need to curb a malaria outbreak. However, concerns are now mounting that the urgency may have resulted in the distribution – and possibly the administration – of the unregistered medicine to patients.
Mum on contradiction
As of yesterday, Ithindi had not responded to questions regarding the apparent contradiction between his earlier assurance and the recall notice.
The ministry has not yet issued a public advisory regarding the safety of the medication, nor has it confirmed whether any health risks have been identified.
Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao, addressing parliament on 10 June, admitted to multiple violations related to the procurement process of the medicine, including breaches of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act of 2003 and the substitution of an unregistered Indian-manufactured product in place of an approved South African brand.
“These contraventions are unacceptable and represent a serious breach of the regulatory framework,” Luvindao said, adding that those responsible will face prosecution and possible debarment under the Public Procurement Act.
The tablets were sourced from West Pharmaceuticals without a public tender, under emergency procurement provisions.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article