By Mbono Mdluli
MBABANE – The Ministry of Health has recalled 12 types of expired medicines from public health facilities over the past year, a matter that came under intense scrutiny during a session with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on July 2, 2025.
The disclosure was made by Siphesihle Nhlabatsi from the Ministry’s Medicines Regulatory Unit, who informed the PAC that the recalled medicines included commonly used drugs such as paracetamol, aspirin, and enalapril. All of these expired medications, he said, had been sourced from local pharmaceutical supplier Swazi Pharm.
The revelation sparked concern and frustration among Members of Parliament (MPs), who questioned the Ministry on the financial and operational implications of the recalls. The PAC demanded clarity on how much public money had been spent in the recall process and what systems were in place to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Nhlambeni MP Manzi Zwane, who chaired the session in his capacity as Deputy Chairperson of the PAC, questioned why the Ministry had not utilized the drug testing facilities at Eswatini Medical Christian University (EMCU). He pointed out that the country had the necessary infrastructure to test medicine quality, and pressed the Ministry to explain why this local resource was seemingly overlooked.
MP Tsembeni Magongo raised further concerns about Swazi Pharm, stating that the supplier had repeatedly been identified in connection with problematic drug batches. Meanwhile, Gege MP Magesi Dlamini shifted focus to conditions at Mankayane Government Hospital, where some of the expired drugs were found. He lamented the hospital’s inability to meet the high demand for medical care and urged the Ministry to take urgent action.
In response, Health Principal Secretary Khanya Mabuza appealed to the PAC for more time to gather accurate information regarding the medicine recalls, particularly the financial details. The PAC granted the Ministry 10 days to compile a comprehensive report on the matter.
The recall has raised pressing questions about pharmaceutical oversight, supplier accountability, and the efficient use of public health resources in Eswatini.
