Lilongwe, MALAWI – A coalition of civil society organizations and pharmaceutical bodies has petitioned the government to establish a standalone Pharmacy Directorate within the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, arguing that the absence of dedicated leadership is fueling widespread drug theft, stock-outs, and severe understaffing in public health facilities.
The call was issued by the Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), the Universal Health Coverage Coalition (UHCC), the Malawi Pharmacists Association (MPA), and the Pharmaceutical Society of Malawi (PHASOM) as part of the official commemoration of World Pharmacists Day 2026, observed under the global theme “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures.”
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, MHEN Executive Director and UHCC Chairperson George Jobe emphasized that creating a specialized directorate is a necessary structural reform to safeguard the nation’s healthcare supply chain.
“We want to join the call that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation consider having a directorate specifically for pharmacy. This coming from the specialists themselves makes sense. The health system could benefit more because pharmacists know their field best. A dedicated directorate would strengthen leadership, coordination, human resource planning, and overall medicine management across the country,” said Jobe.
The coalition highlighted that weak governance structures at the national level trickle down to primary healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas.
High vacancy rates have created an operational vacuum where unqualified support personnel, such as hospital guards, cleaners, and ward attendants, are frequently left to handle and dispense prescription drugs to patients.
“Medicines are not just a matter of handing out pills; improper handling or wrong combinations can cause injury or death,” warned Jobe, pointing out that pharmacy professionals undergo three to five years of specialized training to master drug interactions, dosage toxicity, and expiration protocols.
In addition to structural governance, the joint declaration called for immediate measures to audit supply chains and prevent medicine diversion into private commercial markets.
The organizations warned that Malawi cannot achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) or effectively combat the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, unless public health facilities are guaranteed a secure supply of quality, professionally managed medicines.
The coalition urged the Ministry of Health to prioritize the immediate recruitment and equitable deployment of qualified pharmacy personnel to all public facilities, starting with rural health centers, to restore integrity and safety to the national healthcare system.
World Pharmacists Day is celebrated globally on September 25 to recognize, honor, and appreciate the indispensable contributions of pharmacy professionals to the healthcare ecosystem.
Established to highlight the vital link between pharmaceutical care and patient safety, the day serves as both a celebration of pharmacists’ expertise, ranging from drug manufacturing and safe dispensing to preventing hazardous chemical interactions, and a platform to advocate for stronger health systems.