Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula has urged pharmaceutical suppliers to fulfil their obligations and deliver orders on time as delays undermine the ministry’s efforts to deliver quality healthcare services to Namibians. Shangula stated this in Parliament on Wednesday, where he said the ministry can only supply the four referral hospitals, 34 district hospitals, 44 health centres and 285 clinics around the country with clinical and pharmaceutical supplies if those who were given tenders, fulfil their contractual obligations. He further noted that there were major challenges that affected the availability of pharmaceuticals and clinical supplies in the country during the 2020/21 financial year, including supply chain interruptions due to COVID-19, shortage of active pharmaceutical ingredients for some products and demand fluctuations for pharmaceuticals and clinical supplies. “When active pharmaceutical ingredients are in short supply on the global market it is not possible to manufacture the affected pharmaceuticals, leading to the shortage of these products. This situation affects Namibia like it affects other countries around the world,” said Shangula. The minister, however, stated that despite the challenges, there has been an improvement in the supply of pharmaceuticals and service level of the Central Medical Stores (CMS) to health facilities around the country, from 63% in January 2019 to 81% in January 2021. “Out of 493 active clinical supplies, 75% is currently in stock at CMS. Out of 585 active pharmaceutical supplies, 72% is currently in stock at CMS. However, of the items out of stock at CMS, there are quantities at health facilities around the country for use and also for inter-facility lending,” said Shangula. He further explained that some clinical and pharmaceutical supplies that are currently out of stock were cancelled due to overdue deliveries by suppliers and will be included in the upcoming order advertisements. “The ministry will continue to strengthen our planning and procurement processes to ensure a secure supply of these critical items,” he said. Shangula also urged the public to refrain from distributing information based on lack of understanding of availability status of pharmaceuticals in the country. He said concerns should be directed to the ministry for accurate and truthful information.