Minister warns local suppliers against false stock claims

Minister of Health and Sanitation Madalitso Baloyi has warned local pharmaceutical suppliers against falsely declaring medicine stocks to secure government contracts, saying those found misrepresenting their supplies risk being blacklisted.

The minister was speaking in Lilongwe yesterday during a meeting with Zunak Pharmaceuticals as part of consultations with local suppliers on medicines that can be supplied immediately to address shortages.

She said the government’s immediate priority is to secure medicines for public health facilities and cannot afford to wait for suppliers who do not have products readily available.

Chisale(L), Chilambula (C) Baloyi (R) at Zunak

Pharmaceuticals. | Esnart Tembo

“We do not want to wait any longer because we have lives that need to be saved. Any supplier that lies about their stock will be restricted from supplying the Central Medical Stores ever again,” said Baloyi.

She said suppliers should be transparent about medicines available in their warehouses rather than including unavailable products in contracts.

Baloyi said the engagements are aimed at establishing which medicines suppliers have and the quantities they can deliver without delays.

During the meeting, it emerged that some medicines included in Zunak’s contract were not currently in stock and were expected to arrive later this month.

The search for immediate supplies comes amid a prolonged drug shortage, which has been worsened by foreign exchange challenges and outstanding payments to pharmaceutical suppliers.

Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) has previously indicated that difficulties in accessing forex affected its ability to settle bills with international suppliers, leading some to halt deliveries or reduce supplies.

Baloyi said government also wants to use the crisis to build a more sustainable domestic pharmaceutical industry, although the priority remains getting medicines to health facilities.

At Zunak, pharmacy manager Precious Chembezi said the company would establish the medicines available at its Lilongwe and Mzuzu branches and communicate to the ministry.

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