BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
MBABANE- The Ministry of Health has strengthened its efforts to protect public health with the unveiling of the Medicines Regulatory Authority (MRA) Board, a move expected to improve the safety and quality of medicines available in the country.
The Board was unveiled in Mbabane at Cooper Centre boardroom on Thursday, January 8, 2026, as government continues to pursue its goal of building a healthy and economically productive population that lives longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
The Board members will serve a term of office not exceeding five years and may be reappointed for a maximum of two terms. Their role will be to provide leadership and oversight to the Authority as it works to regulate medicines and related medical products, ensuring that public health remains a top priority.
Speaking at the unveiling, Minister of Health Hon. Mduduzi Matsebula said the establishment of the MRA marked a significant milestone in safeguarding public health and strengthening the health system.
“Our goal as the Ministry of Health is to build a healthy and economically productive population that lives longer, healthier and more socially fulfilling lives. The Medicines Regulatory Authority will ensure that medicines and medical products circulating in the country are safe, effective and of good quality, thereby protecting the health of our people,” said the Minister.
The MRA was established in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act No. 9 of 2016, enacted by Parliament in October 2016.
The Authority is mandated to regulate medicines, medical devices and complementary medicines through registration, regulation of labelling and advertising, licensing and inspection of manufacturers and distributors, post-market surveillance, and control of the sale and promotion of medical products.
According to the Ministry of Health, effective regulation of medical products is central to improving access to quality health services, promoting health across the life course, strengthening health systems and controlling diseases. Medicines form the backbone of health care delivery, and weak regulatory systems increase the risk of substandard and falsified products entering the market, posing serious risks to public safety.
Before the operationalisation of the MRA, the Ministry established the Medicines Regulatory Unit (MRU) to prepare for the Authority’s launch. However, the Unit faced several challenges, including limited financial resources, infrastructure and human capacity, as well as draft regulations that had not yet been finalised.
These limitations reduced enforcement capacity and allowed unethical practices such as misleading advertising, poor labelling and the circulation of substandard medicines to persist.
The newly unveiled Board brings together professionals from a wide range of disciplines to address these challenges. Board members include Nomsa Shongwe, responsible for National Pharmaceutical Services, who brings extensive experience in pharmaceutical policy and public sector supply management; Clement J. Nhleko, a private sector pharmacist with practical experience in retail and community pharmacy; and Sihle Gama, a public sector pharmacist with knowledge of government health systems.
Medical and technical expertise on the Board is provided by Dr Nontobeko Simelane, a specialist physician; Dr Bongiwe Malinga, representing the Director of Health Services with a background in health administration; and Dr Gugu Sibandze, a pharmacologist with expertise in medicine safety, efficacy and regulation. The veterinary sector is represented by Dr Thembinkosi Ndlangamandla, reflecting the importance of a One Health approach to medical product regulation.
The Board also includes Nkosinathi Manzini, an admitted attorney with experience in legal and regulatory matters, and Tyrone Jacobs, a finance representative with a background in corporate finance and governance.
Collectively, the Board is expected to provide strategic direction, oversee the financial health of the Authority, ensure legal and ethical operations, safeguard stakeholder interests and advise the Minister on policy matters related to medicines regulation.
With the MRA Board now in place, government has expressed confidence that regulation and control of medical products will be strengthened, unethical practices curtailed and public trust in the health care system restored.
The move is viewed as a critical step towards ensuring that medicines available in Eswatini are safe, effective, affordable and of high quality, supporting the Ministry of Health’s broader vision of a healthier and more productive nation.
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