The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Anthony Masamba, has defended the committee’s decision to send back officials from the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) after the Commissioner General failed to appear before the committee.
Masamba said the committee had specifically summoned the Commissioner General to provide explanations on issues surrounding drug shortages, the importation and exportation of medicines, and measures to prevent the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs in the country.
Speaking after the officials arrived without the Commissioner General, Masamba said the committee had neither received an apology nor official communication indicating that the Commissioner General had delegated members of his senior management team to represent him.
He said the committee considered the development disrespectful and felt shortchanged because the summons had specifically been addressed to the Commissioner General.
Masamba further explained that the committee wanted to hear directly from the authority’s top official because the matter under investigation concerns the availability and safety of medicines, which directly affects people’s lives.
He said the committee had conducted field visits to Mwanza and Songwe border posts and was scheduled to visit another border post, where it identified gaps allegedly contributing to the illegal movement of medicines from public health facilities to other countries.
According to Masamba, the committee wanted the Commissioner General to explain what measures MRA would implement to address the identified gaps and strengthen controls against the illegal exportation of medicines.
He added that engaging the Commissioner General directly was important to avoid possible distortion of information when findings and concerns raised by the committee were communicated through other officials.
Masamba also criticised MRA for submitting what he described as a four-page presentation on the matter, which the committee received on the morning of the scheduled appearance.
He said the presentation was inadequate considering the seriousness and magnitude of the drug shortage crisis, adding that the committee had expected comprehensive submissions addressing the concerns raised during its investigations.
Masamba maintained that the committee could not compromise on accountability, particularly on matters involving the availability and safety of essential medicines in Malawi.
