PMRA donates air conditioning units to five hospitals in a CSR initiative
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) has donated air conditioning units to five hospitals in a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at enhancing the storage of medicines in these facilities.
The five beneficiary hospitals include Nambuma Mission Hospital in Dowa, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mission Hospital in Mchinji, Ntcheu District Hospital, Blantyre District Hospital, and Chikwawa District Hospital.
The hospitals were identified during a recent routine post-market quality surveillance activity by the Authority, which revealed inadequate temperature control in their medicine storage areas. Proper temperature regulation is essential for maintaining the potency, safety, and effectiveness of medicines. Without appropriate storage conditions, medicines can degrade, reducing their therapeutic benefits and potentially endangering patient health.
“As a regulatory authority, PMRA has a critical role to ensure the proper handling and storage of medicines. However, we also recognise our social responsibility to support healthcare facilities in meeting the required standards. This donation is part of our commitment to safeguarding public health,” said Mphatso Kawaye, Director General of PMRA.
Total cost for the donation, including installation expenses is about K22 million.
Picture: Medicine Inspector Susan Kamtwanje captured during installation of one of the units at Blantyre DHO on Monday.
Invitation to CPD policy and guidelines orientation meeting for Northern region
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) invites pharmacists, pharmacy technologists, pharmacy assistants, representatives of pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacy training institutions that are based in the northern region to a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Policy and Guidelines Orientation Meeting to be held as follows:
Date : 25th February, 2025
Venue : Sunbird Mzuzu Hotel
Time : 08:30 a.m.
Meeting objectives:
- Provide an overview of the CPD Policy and its importance to the pharmacy personnel;
- Familiarise pharmacy personnel with the CPD guidelines and reporting requirements;
- Discuss the implementation strategies and the role of PHASOM in supporting the CPD Program.
This meeting is aimed at providing in-depth understanding of the CPD Policy and Guidelines, ensuring all pharmacy personnel are prepared to meet professional development requirements. Your participation is crucial in fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional excellence.
Please confirm your attendance by Friday, 21st February, 2025. For enquiries, contact Cecilia Sambakunsi on +265995665519 during normal working hours, or email at csambakunsi@pmra.mw. Please note that you will be responsible for your own logistical expenses.
Notice of Administration of March 2025 Registration Exams for Pharmacy Personnel
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) hereby announces that the first session of registration examinations for pharmacists, pharmacy technologists and pharmacy assistants for the year 2025 will be administered as follows:
| MZUZU | BLANTYRE | LILONGWE | |
| TIME | 08h00 | 08h00 | 08h00 |
| DATES | 24th – 25thMarch, 2025 | 24th – 25thMarch, 2025 | 24th – 25thMarch, 2025 |
| VENUE | Grand Palace Hotel | Golden Peacock Hotel | Crossroads Hotel |
To be eligible to sit for the exams, candidates must meet the prescribed requirements, which can be found on the PMRA website www.pmra.mw.
Application Process
Applications for the exams will be accepted online through Pharmacy Personnel Licensing Portal. Candidates are advised to carefully read and follow the instructions below:
- To access the portal: Go to E-Services menu on the PMRA website: www.pmra.mw then select Pharmacy Personnel Licensing Portal.
- Create an account: Fill in the required general information and click “Create account”.
- Upload the required documents under My Profile including passport-size photo, proof of identification (National ID or Passport Biopage) and proof of qualification (copy of certificate, nofication of results or academic transcript).
- Create application: Under My Applications, click on “create an application” and select preferred exam session and centre.
- Submit the application: Click Apply to submit your application.
Application Review Process
All applications will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be issued with Application Number and bank payment details for them to proceed to pay applicable exam registration fees.
Once payment is made, upload proof of paymenent under the application session (click application).
Confirmation
Once payment is confirmed by the Auhority, candidates will receive examination number.
Tracking Application Status
Candidates can track the status of their application by logging into their account on the Pharmacy Personnel Licensing portal and checking the “My Applications” section.
Please note that the online application for registration examinations for the first session 2025 starts on Tuesday, 11th February, 2025 and closes on Tuesday, 11th March, 2025.
For more information and/ or assistance please contact PMRA on 0881790993 / 0999379544 or email at info@pmra.mw.
Invitation to Second Session of CPD Policy and Guidelines Orientation Meeting
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) invites all relevant stakeholders, including pharmacists, pharmacy technologists, pharmacy assistants, healthcare providers, employers, and pharmacy training institutions to its Second Session of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Policy and Guidelines Orientation Meeting to be held as follows:
Date : Wednesday, 8th January, 2025
Venue : Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel, Blantyre
Time : 08:30 a.m.
Meeting objectives:
- Provide an overview of the CPD Policy and its importance to the pharmacy personnel;
- Familiarise pharmacy personnel with the CPD guidelines and reporting requirements;
- Discuss the implementation strategies and the role of PHASOM in supporting the CPD Program.
This meeting is aimed at providing in-depth understanding of the CPD Policy and Guidelines, ensuring that all pharmacy personnel are prepared to meet professional development requirements. Your participation is crucial in fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional excellence.
Please confirm your attendance by Monday, 6th January, 2025. For enquiries, contact Cecilia Sambakunsi on +265995665519 during normal working hours, or email at csambakunsi@pmra.mw. Please note that you will be responsible for your own logistical expenses.
Notice of release of November, 2024 registration examinations
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) is pleased to announce release of results of registration examinations for pharmacists, pharmacy technologists and pharmacy assistants which were administered on 25th and 26th November, 2024.
Candidates who sat for the examinations are advised to collect their results letters from PMRA offices.
PMRA is further reminding all registered pharmacy personnel that Section 26 (2) of the PMRA Act No. 9 of 2019 provides that a person registered under section 25 of the Act shall not be allowed to practice without a practicing licence issued at a fee by the Authority. This implies that to practice pharmacy in Malawi, both new and old registrants are supposed to apply for a practicing licence.
Application forms for the practicing license can be accessed from PMRA website at www.pmra.mw or on request at PMRA Reception.
For further enquiries, please contact PMRA on 088 1 182 327 / 099 3 879 930 or email at info@pmra.mw during normal working hours.
PMRA launches state-of-the-art laboratory, celebrates ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) on Wednesday, 4th December, 2024, launched its state-of-the-art National Medicines Quality Control Laboratory (NMQCL) and celebrated the facility’s ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation at a colurful ceremony presided over by Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda.
The double celebration started with a solidarity walk from Chilambula High Way to PMRA Head Offices in Area 5 for the official launch and thereafter proceeded to Crossroads Hotel for the official presentation of the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation certificate to PMRA by the Chief Executive Officer of the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS), Eve Christine Gadzikwa.
PMRA with funding from Malawi Government and Global Fund embarked on the construction of the Laboratory to address challenges related to Good Laboratory Practices, notably lack of space and absence of quality management system (QMS), in compliance with Section 79 of the PMRA Act, 2019.
Following completion of the construction works for the NMQCL, PMRA has made significant strides in strengthening its regulatory capacity, culminating in the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation of the Laboratory on 22nd February, 2024 by SADCAS.
The launch of the PMRA Laboratory marks a significant milestone in ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines in Malawi. The Lab’s ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation is a testament to PMRA’s commitment to international standards.
The ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation of the National Medicines Quality Control Laboratory enhances credibility, ensures reliable results, and boosts client confidence. It also opens doors to international markets and opportunities to test medicines for regional countries and UN organizations; and ultimately reinforces Malawi’s capacity to assure quality of medicines.
The NMQCL is established under Section 79 of the PMRA Act, 2019 as one of the five departments of PMRA with the objective of verifying the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines and allied substances which are manufactured in or imported into the country by persons who are authorized or licensed under the Act.
Public notice – Invitation to CPD policy and guidelines orientation meeting
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) invites all relevant stakeholders, including pharmacists, pharmacy technologists, pharmacy assistants, healthcare providers, employers and pharmacy training institutions to a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Policy and Guidelines orientation meeting to be held on Saturday, 30th November, 2024 at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
Read more here.
PMRA joins global antimicrobial resistance awareness campaign
Today PMRA participated in a joint health talk at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe organised by the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) National Coordinating Committee to raise awareness about the growing threat of AMR.
The joint health talk, which targeted patients, guardians and hospital staff, was part of activities being carried out by the Ministry of Health as the country observes this year’s World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW).
In his remarks, PMRA’s National Pharmacovigilance Coordinator Anderson Ndalama said AMR was one the top global public health threats requiring concerted efforts by all stakeholders to combat.
He called on the citizens to desist from practices that drive AMR such as misuse of antibiotics.
Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics – are medicines used to prevent and treat infectious diseases in humans, animals and plants.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, disability and death.
The World AMR Awareness Week is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
WAAW is celebrated from 18-24 November every year. The theme for the World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024 is “Educate. Advocate. Act now.”
Global Fund Mission visits PMRA Lab
The Global Fund Mission to Malawi on Tuesday, 19th November, 2024 visited the Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority’s National Medicine Quality Control Laboratory (NMQCL) to appreciate the Authority’s enhanced capacity for quality assurance.
PMRA is proud to acknowledge Global Fund’s support in establishing a Quality Management System (QMS) according to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Standard and equipping the Laboratory.
The Mission was in the country for the Fund’s 52nd Board Meeting.
Robust criminal justice response key to effective medicine regulatory enforcement
An effective medicine regulatory enforcement which is well complemented by a robust criminal justice response has potential to effectively prevent and deter pharmaceutical crimes, Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) Director General Mphatso Kawaye has said.
Kawaye made the remarks on Thursday in Mzuzu at the start of a two-day sensitization workshop for Northern Region-based magistrates on the legal framework of the medicine regulatory system in Malawi.
He reiterated that the country has a legislative framework to effectively prevent and respond to pharmaceutical criminal activities that are prevalent in the country including theft of medicines, illegal possession of medicines, trafficking of falsified and substandard medicines, and other related crimes.
“The public health impact of these activities cannot be underestimated. Medicines that are unapproved, stolen or illicitly trafficked are usually sourced from non-compliant manufacturers, and transported and stored without regard to regulatory requirements.
“This practice affects medicine quality and ultimately result in poor treatment outcomes for patients. Also the theft of medicines from health facilities deprives legitimately deserving patients the right to life and good health,” said Kawaye calling for stiffer penalties for convicted pharmaceutical crime offenders.
In her remarks, Guest of Honour and Chairperson of the Judiciary Training Committee, Justice Violet Chipao described the training as a significant step towards achieving collective understanding of the laws and regulations that govern the pharmaceutical sector in the country.
“As magistrates, your role is interpreting and enforcing this Act [PMRA Act, 2019] is crucial. Your decisions directly impact public health and safety, making it imperative that you are well versed in the provisions and implications of this legislation,” said Justice Chipao.
She echoed Kawaye’s sentiments saying if sentences are not deterrent enough, the law loses its value as individuals who weigh the potential of the costs of the crime against the benefits of the crime before deciding to engage in criminal activity find it beneficial to engage in the criminal activity.
She emphasized that penalties imposed by the Courts in pharmaceutical related crimes ought to reflect the seriousness of the offenses.
On his part, Association of Magistrates (AMA) President His Worship Kondani Chinangwa thanked PMRA for organsing the training workshop describing it as a good opportunity to provide insight into the work of magistrates in as far as handling of pharmaceutical crimes is concerned.
The training workshop is the second following a similar one held in Mponela, Dowa on 3rd and 4th October, 2024, targeting magistrates from Central Region.