Zorena Jantze
THE Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) on 2 June 2025 issued instructions to Fabupharm Namibia (PTY) LTD to initiate a recall of all oral liquid products and to halt manufacturing on the affected liquid production line until all identified issues are fully resolved in accordance with standard requirements.
The recall follows concerns raised by Job Amupanda, President of the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) political party, regarding the safety of the medicines.
“I have concrete evidence that the Fabupharm paracetamol syrup — a syrup for pain and fever in children — was inspected by the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council and found not to meet the required standards. It was classified as having critical defects, according to their report. This syrup was supposed to have been recalled two years ago. For two years, this council has allowed this potentially life-threatening syrup to be distributed to our children — the children of the poor who go to public hospitals,” Amupanda said.
He further called on the Medicines Regulatory Council to recall the syrup.
In response, Fransina Nambahu, Registrar of the Medicines Regulatory Council, stated that a routine inspection of the manufacturing facility had been carried out to assess compliance with good manufacturing practices.
“The inspection of the oral liquid dosage block identified shortcomings which necessitated various corrective and preventive actions. The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council is committed to carrying out its mandate by ensuring access to safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines for the Namibian people. Further information regarding the Council’s fulfilment of this mandate will be provided in due course,” Nambahu said.
