Adolf Kaure

Health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao has requested newly appointed members for the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) to declare their commercial interest within three months.

She made the remarks at the official appointment of the council members in Windhoek this afternoon.

Luvindao said, to uphold principles of accountability, the act governing the council is unequivocal regarding transparency and the prevention of conflicts of interest.

“Within three months of your appointment, each member of this council is required to sign a disclosure of interest. This is not a mere formality,” she said.

“You must declare in writing to my office any commercial interests related to the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.

“This includes, but is not limited to, any consultancy for, research grants from, or equity holding or directorship in a pharmaceutical company, or any other payment or benefit in kind,” Luvindao added.

The NMRC was established under the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act.

Furthermore, if any NMRC member or their spouse is in any way directly or indirectly interested in a matter under consideration by the council or a committee, and this interest could cause a conflict of interests in the performance of their duties, they must fully disclose the nature of that interest as soon as practicable at the commencement of the meeting.

The consequences of failing to adhere to these provisions as stipulated in Section (3) of the Act state that, if a conflict of interest is not disclosed, and a member participates in the proceedings, those proceedings related to that matter will be rendered invalid and must be reviewed by the council or committee in the absence of the conflicted member.

Beyond that, Section (4) makes it clear that knowingly failing to comply is a criminal offence, liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding N$8 000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both.

“These provisions are not punitive. They are preventative. They are designed to protect the integrity of the council, to safeguard public trust, and to ensure that every decision is made purely on merit and in the public interest, free from any perception of undue influence,” said Dr Luvindao.

The other foundational principles in the practice for the work of the NMRC include integrity and ethics.

The NMRC’s mandate and its functions range from rigorous medicine registration and thorough inspections to proactive quality control, vital pharmacovigilance and the judicious control of substances.

Outgoing chairperson of the NMRC, Dr Ismael Katjitae, urged newly appointed council members to serve responsibly and earnestly, highlighting how their work directly impacts all Namibians.

“When we were serving there, we did not think about perks and about sitting allowances. You are on a national roll call. It is something where you can’t even afford to say no, because you must serve your country. Once you are part of it, you realise that this council is more serious than what you thought, and there are expectations,” said Katjitae.

The newly appointed NMRC members include three medical doctors, namely Dr Quincy Gurirab, Dr Miriam Mwaala and Dr Byron Bock, as well as three pharmacists, Paulus Simbo, Taimi Ipinge-Heita and Kim Dreyer.

The council also includes two veterinarians – Dr Vimanuka Mutjavikua and Dr Paul Set – legal practitioner Sylvia Hamata, as well as a registered nurse, Maritjie Steinbach.

The final member of the council is a practitioner who, in the opinion of the minister, has sufficient knowledge of medicines and related substances, Grace Nakalondo.

Their term started today and runs until 13 March 2029.

– akaure@nepc.com.na