Govt moves to crack down on fake drugs

Malawians should expect safer medicines in hospitals and pharmacies as government moves to tighten regulation of all medical products.

Speaking at the 76th WHO Regional Committee for Africa meeting in Addis Ababa, Minister of Health Madalitso Baloyi, said Malawi has endorsed a new 10-year African strategy to fight substandard and fake medicines from 2026 to 2035.

It has been noted that the country is already implementing a National Action Plan developed after a WHO assessment in 2023.

The plan, running to 2028, includes building a stronger Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) and launching digital systems for the public to report fake drugs.

Other reforms include a full Quality Management System to track medicines from registration to the shelves, and stronger monitoring of drug side effects.

It is believed that the goal is to move Malawi from WHO Maturity Level 1 to Level 3 — meaning faster approvals, better inspections, and more accountability in the health system.

Government says the reforms will help deliver on Universal Health Coverage by ensuring every Malawian accesses medicines that are safe, effective, and affordable.