DRUG CERTIFICATION AND QUALITY CONTROL IN MALAWI

LILONGWE, 15TH MARCH 2012
The Ministry of Health and the Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board would like to inform the general public and all District Health Officers that the drugs under the kit system or any other drugs that are currently being distributed to Government and CHAM facilities have been tested and certified to be of high quality, efficacious and safe.
Since the development partners came to support the Ministry of Health by procuring drugs on its behalf that are in kit form, several issues have risen surrounding the efficacy, safety and quality of the drugs. As a matter of standard practice and following the policy, mandate and the responsibility entrusted in the office of the Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board, all drugs that are used in the health facilities in the country are tested for quality before distribution. This is always a routine process that has to be undertaken by the Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health facilities are required to receive and administer drugs that have only been certified by the responsible institution in the country.
The Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board and the Ministry of Health would like therefore to inform the general public that it is the responsibility of the Malawi Government to ensure that Malawians are not using substandard drugs and any drugs and supplies that have been found to have by passed the quality control process will be confiscated and an appropriate legal action will be undertaken to the importers and dispensers. In this regard, the Ministry of Health would like to assure the general public that all drugs distributed to health facilities have passed a rigorous quality control process.
Meanwhile, the distribution of the drugs will continue and the Ministry welcomes all the concerns and feedback that would improve the availability and reduce misuse of the drugs in public hospitals.

Henry Chimbali
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Health

Aaron Glyn Sosola
Acting Registrar
Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board