The Ministry of Health has advised pharmacists in the country to be ethical and follow laid-down guidelines saying medication errors can cause serious medical implications for patients.
Deputy Minister of Health, Halima Daudi, was speaking in Lilongwe during an exhibition of pharmaceuticals.
Daudi told the pharmacists that as Malawi makes strides in Universal Health Coverage to ensure equitable access to health care, the safety of patients is paramount. She said that in many countries, including Malawi, recklessness in drug prescription and unsafe storage have ended up injuring patients. Daudi warned that the government will not condone negligence in the sector.
President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Malawi, William Mpute, admitted that sometimes errors occur in the line of duty but challenged fellow pharmacists to abide by guidelines.
He further advised Malawians to report to authorities any unbecoming conduct or slackness on the part of pharmacists.
Reports say that in many countries, over 700,000 patients get injured due to medication errors such as wrong prescriptions.
By Isaac Jali.
