The position of Registrar of Pharmacists came under the spotlight in the National Assembly on Tuesday, with Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda questioning why the position was never advertised and what procedures were followed to fill it.

Professor Amupanda said all Namibians should have equal opportunity to apply for such positions after a vacancy has been advertised.

"The section says that subject to the Public Service Act and after consultation with the council, the minister must appoint a pharmacist to be the registrar of medicines. So that basically means that the exercise of power to appoint the registrar is regulated and linked to the Public Service Act. So in other words, there must be an advert."

Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao said the responsibility to appoint a registrar lies with the ministry in line with the Medicines and Related Substance Control Act. Luvindao stated that the ministry consulted the relevant entities, including the attorney general's office and Public Service Commission, prior to the appointment.

"Firstly, the decision that was taken, was it in consultation with the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Council? Yes. Do we have this in writing? Yes. Now the issue of advertising is not listed or stated within the particular act that you've made reference to. Prior to this, we studied the act in detail, and we went to the extent of requesting a legal opinion even from the Attorney General for us to clarify the exact process."