By Ntombi Mhlongo
An investigation looking into the acquisition and distribution of medicines to public facilities has uncovered serious challenges in the country’s health sector.
A report tabled by Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg on Friday in Parliament concluded that no authority regulates the supply of medicines and other medical items in the country.
The probe was initiated by the Ministry of Finance following constant concerns about a medical drugs shortage in the country. Despite intervention by the Ministry of Health, the problem has persisted over the years.
Read More: Probe uncovers rot in medical drugs procurement and distribution
Shortage of medical drugs mostly affected public health facilities, and this resulted in patients being referred to private pharmacies to provide the service at a higher cost than they could have paid in the public facilities.
The probe was conducted to ascertain the cause of the shortage of medical drugs. The report states that medical drugs supplied or acquired from the suppliers are not tested for quality and acceptable standards for health consumption.
“Donations received of pharmaceuticals are also not verified to ascertain if they are good for consumption by the citizens of the country,” reads part of the report.
It was mentioned that interviews conducted with the management of the Central Medical Stores (CMS) revealed that there is a substantial percentage of the donated medicines that have a short shelf-life span.
CMS, it was stated, has not been able to provide the guidelines, procedures and controls related to donations of medicines and medical supplies.
Read More: Eswatini presents a combined E38bn import, export opportunities
“This is likely to have contributed to the receipt of a substantial number of donated medicines with short shelf-life span,” the report stated.
As a recommendation, the audit team advised that there should be a medical authority that regulates and verifies all pharmaceuticals that get to be used by the citizens of the country.
Also, a recommendation was made that the Ministry of Health should establish clear procedures that should be followed when receiving the donations.
“This is to ensure that donated medicines and medical supplies are of good standard and have a reasonable shelf-life span,” it was emphasised.
