Call for audit of pharmacies, drug supplies

LEGISLATORS want Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg to conduct a post-clearance audit of selected pharmacies across the country to verify the sources of their drug supplies and ensure compliance with national laws.

The motion is expected to be moved by Hhukwini MP Alec Lushaba and seconded by Mbabane East MP Welcome Dlamini today.
It seeks to establish whether pharmacies were adhering to all relevant Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) regulations and import guidelines in the procurement and distribution of medicines.

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According to the motion, Rijkenberg is required to table a detailed report within 60 days after the motion’s adoption. The audit is intended to help detect any irregularities in the importation or clearance of pharmaceuticals, particularly cases where drugs may be entering the market without proper documentation or quality assurance.

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Lushaba said the motion aimed to strengthen oversight in the pharmaceutical sector and safeguard the public from illegally sourced or substandard medicines, while also ensuring that government does not lose revenue due to non-compliance with ERS requirements.

The MP further noted that improving transparency in the pharmaceutical supply chain would not only protect consumers but also enhance the credibility of registered pharmacies operating lawfully within Eswatini.

Lushaba is also expected to move another motion, to be seconded by Ntfonjeni MP Raymond Dlamini, calling upon Minister for Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane to present a detailed report to the House on the current status of the state-owned hotel.

According to the motion, the MP wants the minister to explain the measures that the ministry was taking to improve the hotel’s state and product offering in order to restore its reputation as a hotel of choice in the country’s tourism sector.

The motion further directs the minister to address ongoing complaints about the poor state of the road network linking the hotel to the Matsamo and Ngwenya Border Posts, which has been cited as one of the factors discouraging both local and international tourists from visiting the northern region.

The MP stated that the Pigg’s Peak Hotel was once a major tourist attraction and a source of local employment. However, the establishment has struggled in recent years to maintain its infrastructure and service standards.

He said urgent action was needed to revive the hotel and ensure it once again contributes meaningfully to Eswatini’s tourism industry.

The motion gives Mkhonta-Simelane 14 days from its adoption to table a comprehensive report outlining the ministry’s rehabilitation plans, marketing strategies, and infrastructure improvement projects related to the hotel and surrounding areas.

Lushaba said he hoped the report would help guide government’s efforts to revitalise tourism in the northern region and strengthen Eswatini’s position as a preferred destination for travellers.

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