Vaccine, medicine shortage hits Namibia

Namibians who want to get vaccinated against various diseases will likely return home disappointed because the country is currently experiencing a massive shortage of certain vaccines and medicines. Several private doctors confirmed to Namibia Media Holdings that it has - for some time - been impossible to procure certain vaccines, and this includes those against hepatitis A and Typhoid fever.

According to these doctors based in Windhoek, this is attributed to the fact that the majority of vaccines and other medical products are imported from South Africa - where production has decreased due to load shedding. Several large suppliers in Namibia have consequently stopped supplying certain medications.

Medical Association of Namibia (MAN) chairperson Dr David Weber confirmed the "massive shortage of many vaccines". He said the shortage also includes essential medications such as those for cancer.

Weber blamed the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council for the shortage, adding that the council is meant to “promote the supply of medication to patients in the country”, but its processes are "part of the challenges" being experienced.

He explained that the NMRC requires all medications to go through an arduous registration process in Namibia, at great expense.

The country’s demand is also a drop in the ocean compared to the rest of the SADC region, not to mention the rest of Africa.

"The big international companies simply withdraw from Namibia due to the lengthy authorisation process and leave it to the local authorities to procure the required medicines."

Complex

Namibian pharmaceutical supplier Geka Pharma said there are global restrictions on the production and distribution of vaccines.

"The reason for the restrictions and resulting shortage is complex," pharmacist Nardia Coetzee, managing director at Geka, said.

"The main reasons for the shortage in Namibia are changing distribution channels, manufacturing and production problems, insufficient stock, and that most vaccines are imported from Europe."

However, the manufacturers want to support immunisation in Namibia by providing access to important vaccines, she said.

No problems

Meanwhile, according to health ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya, there is no shortage of vaccines.

According to him, there is "as much medication available as was ordered".

Weber explained that the ministry follows World Health Organisation guidelines, adding that only a minimal amount of all vaccines are part of its protocol.

Asked whether every Namibian can get the vaccine of their choice at any time from any government doctor - which includes mandatory immunisations for travel purposes - Kamaya admitted that there is "currently not complete coverage".

He referred to the ministry's budget limit which, according to the Public Procurement Act, stands at N$25 million for purchases. Consequently, the ministry cannot execute long-term contracts, which must go through the Central Procurement Board of Namibia (CPBN).

"Due to the challenges in the awarding of these long-term contracts by the CPBN, the ministry has taken steps to fill the gaps and meet short-term needs," Kamaya explained.

"The short-term measures until the CPBN finalises contracts have placed the ministry in a perpetual cycle of emergency purchases. This is not cost-effective and is a challenge for bulk supply planning. Consideration is now being given to obtaining exemption from the restrictions of the law to enable the ministry to purchase sufficient stock for 12 months to stabilise the supply chain.”