Luvindao rejects Fabupharm’s independent paracetamol report
Despite Fabupharm’s assurance that its children’s paracetamol syrup meets all safety, quality, and regulatory standards, health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao has rejected the pharmaceutical company’s independently commissioned report, citing a conflict of interest.
Responding to questions from Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda in parliament yesterday, Luvindao said the health ministry had clearly communicated to Fabupharm that the report would not be accepted as legitimate.
Amupanda criticised the company’s so-called “comprehensive, independent verification and assessment” - which involved two certified laboratories - questioning its legal basis and credibility.
“We have seen that Fabupharm announced they conducted an ‘independent analysis’ or whatever they call it, which confirmed that their part of the product is safe. But that’s not how things work. We don’t self-regulate,” he said.
“These entities often have a tendency to implicate leaders when controversies arise. So first, I want to ask: this so-called independent investigation or verification of their product - I hope it has nothing to do with the official orders, because the law does not make provision for a company to simply go out, select people, and say, ‘come investigate me and determine if I’m clean or not.’ There is no legal basis for that,” Amupanda added.
Ministry\'s position unchanged
In response, Luvindao reaffirmed that the ministry’s stance remains unchanged that Fabupharm will not be allowed to proceed with the product until all outstanding issues are resolved.
She further clarified that a meeting was held between the ministry of health and social services, the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC), Fabupharm, and their respective legal teams.
“We do have minutes from that meeting, which clearly state the ministry’s position,” Luvindao said.
“Fabupharm brought up the idea of an independent report. However, we clearly stated in that meeting that there was a conflict of interest, and for that reason, we could not accept their report as legitimate.”
“If they choose to proceed with it, that is their own decision, but the ministry of health and social services and the NMRC do not rely on that report,” she added.
Fabupharm defends safety claims
Fabupharm recently released a statement asserting that its product had passed all safety and quality checks. The company said it had commissioned two certified laboratories, including the Quality Services Laboratory (QSL), to conduct a full independent assessment of the product in question.
According to Fabupharm, both external and internal tests confirmed the syrup’s compliance with international standards, and the company accused critics of making allegations without scientific basis.
“The allegations were made without supporting evidence or scientific evaluation,” Fabupharm said, adding that it had engaged constructively with the NMRC throughout the process.
The company also reiterated its commitment to \"upholding the highest pharmaceutical standards\" and ensuring that all products it manufactures are safe and of high quality.
Responding to questions from Affirmative Repositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda in parliament yesterday, Luvindao said the health ministry had clearly communicated to Fabupharm that the report would not be accepted as legitimate.
Amupanda criticised the company’s so-called “comprehensive, independent verification and assessment” - which involved two certified laboratories - questioning its legal basis and credibility.
“We have seen that Fabupharm announced they conducted an ‘independent analysis’ or whatever they call it, which confirmed that their part of the product is safe. But that’s not how things work. We don’t self-regulate,” he said.
“These entities often have a tendency to implicate leaders when controversies arise. So first, I want to ask: this so-called independent investigation or verification of their product - I hope it has nothing to do with the official orders, because the law does not make provision for a company to simply go out, select people, and say, ‘come investigate me and determine if I’m clean or not.’ There is no legal basis for that,” Amupanda added.
Ministry\'s position unchanged
In response, Luvindao reaffirmed that the ministry’s stance remains unchanged that Fabupharm will not be allowed to proceed with the product until all outstanding issues are resolved.
She further clarified that a meeting was held between the ministry of health and social services, the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC), Fabupharm, and their respective legal teams.
“We do have minutes from that meeting, which clearly state the ministry’s position,” Luvindao said.
“Fabupharm brought up the idea of an independent report. However, we clearly stated in that meeting that there was a conflict of interest, and for that reason, we could not accept their report as legitimate.”
“If they choose to proceed with it, that is their own decision, but the ministry of health and social services and the NMRC do not rely on that report,” she added.
Fabupharm defends safety claims
Fabupharm recently released a statement asserting that its product had passed all safety and quality checks. The company said it had commissioned two certified laboratories, including the Quality Services Laboratory (QSL), to conduct a full independent assessment of the product in question.
According to Fabupharm, both external and internal tests confirmed the syrup’s compliance with international standards, and the company accused critics of making allegations without scientific basis.
“The allegations were made without supporting evidence or scientific evaluation,” Fabupharm said, adding that it had engaged constructively with the NMRC throughout the process.
The company also reiterated its commitment to \"upholding the highest pharmaceutical standards\" and ensuring that all products it manufactures are safe and of high quality.
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