By Starphel Sithole
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) says it is aiming at sensitizing the law enforcement agencies (Judiciary, Malawi Police Services) on the PMRA Act of 2019 that contains stiffer penalties on drug theft and pilferage.
Chrissy Chulu, Regulatory Officer for PMRA said the Regulatory Authority has this year prioritized the sensitization and dissemination of the PMRA act of 2019 to Police Officers, Prosecutors, Magistrates, Malawi Regulatory Authority (MRA) and other relevant stakeholders. This was revealed during the stakeholder interface meeting on drug stock outs organized by the Network of Jouralists Living with HIV (JONEHA) on 31st January 2024 at Blue Waters in Salima.
She further said PMRA also plans to develop a communication strategy with an aim of sensitizing the general public and health service providers on the dangers of drug theft, access of pharmaceutical products from unrecognised sources and the community’s ability to report any malpractice in health facilities related to medicine and allied substance pilferage.
During some meetings with the Magistrates and Police Officers in September 2023, the Network of Journalists Living with HIV (JONEHA) found that most of the law enforcers do not have the Act in their offices. Most of them revealed that they do not have knowledge on the PMRA act where others were using the soft copy of the Act.
During these visits the officers requested for the sensitization and delivery of the PMRA Act.
The Mulanje Police Officer, Alfred Chimthero Commended the initiative by the PMRA saying this will enhance their work and called for PMRA to orient the officers on the act.
“The delivery of the long-awaited booklet of the Act has to be accompanied with an orientation to everyone working at the police station or court to popularize it among the personnel. Observing that a fight against drug theft and pilferage involves every citizen; community sensitization campaign would also be necessary.”
However, the PMRA Regulatory Officer said that the dissemination of the PMRA Act of 2019 will meanwhile focus on the magistrates due to cost implication therefore there is need for other stakeholders to come in. She further called the stakeholders to help in sensitizing the act during their activities.
