First batch of directly acquired meds arrive
The health ministry has received its first consignment of medicines and clinical supplies purchased directly from manufacturers, following recent announcements that procurement middlemen will be eliminated where necessary.The first shipment, supplied by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, arrived at the ministry’s Central Medical Stores in Windhoek on 23 October.
In an online statement, the ministry said this marks the start of a series of ongoing deliveries expected over the coming weeks under its new direct procurement strategy, which aims to improve efficiency and transparency in the national health supply chain.
The consignment, the ministry added, represents a significant step towards rebuilding medicine stock levels across health facilities nationwide.
“The ministry is working hard to restore stock levels at the Central Medical Stores to over 80%,” said deputy executive director Dr Theo-Ben Kandetu, who received the shipment on behalf of ministry executive director Penda Ithindi.
“This first tranche of deliveries is a testament to our commitment. More shipments are on the way, with the next expected to arrive by 29 October 2025,” he added.
Quality of life
Health minister Esperance Luvindao described the development as a reflection of her ministry’s renewed sense of purpose. “It is possible to reach a point where one does not pick up a newspaper and read about drug shortages in health facilities every other day,” she said. “That is what we are working towards because it directly translates to a better quality of life for all citizens.”
Under Luvindao’s leadership, the ministry has begun sourcing medicines directly from international manufacturers, a shift from its previous reliance on intermediaries. The move, Luvindao said, has already yielded substantial savings.
In September, the minister said that government had saved over N$221 million in her first six months in office through tighter cost controls and direct engagement with suppliers. However, she clarified that the ministry has not completely closed the door on local intermediaries, provided they operate fairly.
“We are still using local suppliers,” she confirmed. “We have given the regions funds to purchase some supplies locally in the short term. If the drug costs N$100 million and you charge us a reasonable mark-up, that’s OK. But when you charge N$450 million for the same product, that’s not doing business, that’s robbing the government.”
Fair negotiations
Luvindao has dismissed claims by some that bypassing certain intermediaries would harm the local economy or lead to job losses in the pharmaceutical sector. “The money saved enables us to hire more nurses and doctors and to invest in infrastructure,” Luvindao explained. “If we’re investing in infrastructure, it’s likely a local company will be hired to do that job. So it’s not correct to say we’re killing the economy when we deal with the issue of middlemen.”
The minister faced criticism earlier this year after an email she sent to international manufacturers requesting quotations was leaked. Some accused her of overstepping administrative boundaries. Luvindao, however, defended her decision, saying her involvement was intended to expedite responses from potential suppliers.
“The leaked email may have created the impression that it was sent to one company, but it was actually distributed to hundreds of potential suppliers,” she said. “All relevant officials, including members of the procurement committee and regulatory authorities, were copied in.”