By Hastings Yobe

Lilongwe, August 20, Mana: The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) has taken measures to address concerns regarding the quality of medications in the country, in response to a recent inquiry conducted by Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia.

During a press conference held at Crossroads Hotel on Tuesday, PMRA Director General Mphatso Kawaye delivered a statement addressing the issues highlighted in the investigation.

"The study implied that Malawi has the highest percentage of substandard medications, however, PMRA has refuted these findings, pointing out flaws in the methodology employed in the 2015 Malawi study that was utilised in the review," Kawaye stated.

Kawaye reassured the public that pharmaceuticals in Malawi uphold high standards, supported by a rigorous system of regular quality monitoring and testing.

"The Authority's National Medicines Quality Control Laboratory, accredited under ISO 17025, gathers and examines samples obtained from both public and private healthcare facilities,” he elaborated.

Geodfrey Kadewere, Director of Health and Technical Support Services at the Ministry of Health, emphasised the importance of academic institutions exercising caution when conducting studies, as they have the potential to cause alarm among the general population.

"We do not dispute the validity of studies conducted by academic institutions, however, we question the underlying motives behind the publication of this particular study," Kadewere remarked.

He consequently urged the citizens of Malawi to place their trust in PMRA, the entity responsible for overseeing the availability of medications in the Malawian market.

According to PMRA, data obtained from the medication quality surveillance program indicates that the prevalence of substandard medications in Malawi stands at 4 percent, a figure deemed reassuring by the board.