MBABANE:Senator Lizzie Nkosi, the Minister of Health says they are currently working on a Bill that will address the alleged theft of drugs in Government hospitals.
The Times of eSwatini published a report last suggesting that an investigation by Government uncovered that private pharmacies were selling drugs allegedly stolen from public hospitals.
Speaking to this Swaziland on Thursday on the subject matter,the Health Minister said the Bill will enable the establishment of a Pharmacy Council to address such issues
“We hope it will be passed this October",said the Health Minister.
Thula Mtsetfwa,the founder of the Kingdom of Eswatini Pharmacy Association(KEPA)had blamed Government for failing to investigate the alleged theft of drugs in public hospitals,he called for an independent body to investigate both the public and private health institutions.
"Government is shifting the focus from its failure to supply drugs in hospitals by claiming that we are stealing from them.The root cause for all these is the absence of a Pharmacy Council that would investigate the rot in both the public and private institutions.As the situation stands, Government is only investigating us and deliberately neglecting to investigate public hospitals",he said.
Reached for comments, Mayibongwe Masangane, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU)said having the Pharmacy Council would be a good idea.
“That is correct and it is good for regulation.It should also regulate all pharmacies and also protect the Nation from counterfeit drugs”,said the SWADNU Secretary General.
Health Minister Lizzie Nkosi.