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Namibian press · Organization

Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council

Also known as: NMRC · Namibian Medicine Regulatory Council

Namibia's medicines regulator responsible for ensuring safety, quality and efficacy of pharmaceutical products, recently warning against unregistered weight-loss injections.

2024-04-172026-08-21
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. May 2026

  2. Informanté

    Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council is pursuing institutional reforms and capacity-building to improve operational efficiency and accelerate application assessments and product registration

    Source

    “Institutional reforms and capacity-building measures are also being pursued at the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) to improve operational efficiency and accelerate application assessments and product registration processes.”

    Health ministry moves to address medicine shortages

  3. Windhoek Observer

    Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council is undergoing institutional reforms to improve turnaround times

    Source

    “The ministry also said institutional reforms are being implemented at the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council to improve turnaround times for applications and product registrations.”

    Asoli says President is silent on medicine shortages
  4. January 2026

  5. New Era

    Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council advised consumers to consult healthcare professionals when using zinc picolinate and selenium-containing supplements, particularly for children under 18

    Source

    “The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) has advised consumers to consult healthcare professionals when using zinc picolinate and selenium-containing supplements, particularly for children under the age of 18 years.”

    Medicine council warns against zinc picolinate

  6. Informanté

    Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council urged the public to seek advice from healthcare professionals before using zinc picolinate and selenium supplements

    Source

    “THE Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) has urged the public to seek advice from healthcare professionals before using supplements containing zinc picolinate and selenium, particularly in the case of children, following reported safety concerns associated with these products.”

    Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council advises caution on Zinc Picolinate and Selenium supplements

  7. Informanté

    Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council decided not to recall products containing zinc picolinate and selenium at this stage

    Source

    “However, she added that, unlike SAHPRA, the NMRC has decided not to recall products containing zinc picolinate and selenium at this stage.”

    Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council advises caution on Zinc Picolinate and Selenium supplements

  8. The Namibian

    Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council advised public and healthcare professionals to exercise caution with zinc picolinate and selenium in children

    Source

    “The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) has advised the public and healthcare professionals to exercise caution when using products containing zinc picolinate and selenium, particularly in children under 18 years.”

    Public urged to exercise caution with zinc picolinate and selenium in children

  9. The Namibian

    NMRC will continue monitoring the safety of these products

    Source

    “She added that the NMRC will continue its commitment to monitoring the safety of these products and will consider regulatory changes if necessary.”

    Public urged to exercise caution with zinc picolinate and selenium in children
Society

Namibia's medicines regulator warns on unregistered weight-loss injections

The News

Namibia's Medicines Regulatory Council has warned that injectable weight-loss treatments sold through social media and online vendors may contain wrong ingredients, incorrect strengths, or contaminants. The regulator named products including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, cautioning that unregistered medicines may be falsified, counterfeit, or manufactured without proper quality controls.

18 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Namibia's medicines regulator warns on unregistered weight-loss injections

    Namibia's Medicines Regulatory Council has warned that injectable weight-loss treatments sold through social media and online vendors may contain wrong ingredients, incorrect strengths, or contaminants. The regulator named products including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, cautioning that unregistered medicines may be falsified, counterfeit, or manufactured without proper quality controls.

    18 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 15 August

  1. Medicine regulator warns against unlicensed weight loss drugs

    Namibia's Medicine Regulatory Council has warned the public against importing, advertising, distributing and prescribing unlicensed GLP-1 and peptide-containing medicines marketed for weight loss and diabetes on social media, citing serious adverse events documented by international regulators including dosing errors, contamination and hospitalisation.

    15 August 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia Medicines Council warns against unregistered weight-loss peptides

    The Registrar of Medicines at Namibia's Medicines Regulatory Council has warned against the unauthorised importation, sale and use of GLP-1 and peptide-containing medicines marketed for weight loss and diabetes, noting increased distribution through social media, online vendors and informal markets. Persons who contravene the prohibition may face inspection, seizure of products, prosecution and penalties under the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act.

    15 August 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 14 August

  1. Two medicines quarantined or recalled in Namibia

    The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council quarantined two batches of Azithromycin Oral Suspension after complaints it failed to dissolve properly and contained lumps, while Cospharm Investments issued a voluntary recall of VCS Flumed Syrup after crystals were found in units.

    14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 6 July

  1. Government distributes 33 medicine categories nationwide

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has received and distributed 33 categories of critically needed medicines and clinical supplies between 18 June and 1 July 2026, part of efforts to address medicine shortages and stabilize the national pharmaceutical supply chain. The deliveries include cancer medicines such as Cyclophosphamide, Cytarabine, and Thioguanine, alongside antibiotics.

    6 July 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 24 June

  1. NMRC clears Fabupharm paracetamol syrup after safety tests

    The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council has cleared Fabupharm Pty Ltd's paracetamol syrup for use after independent laboratory tests confirmed it met safety and quality standards. The clearance was issued in May following the product's recall last year, which came after routine inspection shortcomings were identified.

    24 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. NMRC clears Fabu-Paracetamol after independent safety testing

    The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council has confirmed that Fabu-Paracetamol meets required safety and quality standards following independent laboratory testing of samples from health facilities. The tests found all batches complied with quality specifications, contained correct active pharmaceutical ingredient levels, and contained no toxic contaminants such as diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol.

    24 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 15 June

  1. Health Ministry cancels N$44.8 million pharmaceutical orders

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has cancelled pharmaceutical and clinical product orders worth N$44.8 million extended to 12 companies after suppliers failed to deliver medicines to the Central Medical Stores, including treatments for mental illness, cancer, and chronic conditions.

    15 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. ACC summons health ministry official over procurement fraud probe

    The Anti-Corruption Commission has issued a formal summons to a member of the ministry of health and social services' Bid Evaluation Committee to appear for questioning over allegations of procurement manipulation, supply chain fraud, and theft of pharmaceutical medicines from state warehouses. The official is to appear before an ACC investigator on 18 August 2026.

    9 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 1 June

  1. Health ministry removes registrar of medicines, appoints successor

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has removed Fransina Nambahu as registrar of medicines at the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council and appointed Frieda Shiweda to the position effective 1 June 2026. Sources told the Windhoek Observer that Nambahu was removed after refusing to approve substandard medicines, contradicting the ministry's stated reason of structural review.

    1 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 21 May

  1. Medicine shortages in public hospitals pressing presidential concern

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said medicine shortages in public hospitals are a major burden on her administration, after the Ministry of Health and Social Services revealed national pharmaceutical stock levels are at 60%, below the government's 80% minimum target.

    21 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Namibia strengthens medicine safety systems through African cooperation

    Namibia is strengthening its medicine safety systems as African countries push for closer regulatory cooperation through the African Medicines Agency to address concerns over counterfeit medicines and weak reporting systems for medicine side effects. The Ministry of Health and Social Services says stronger cooperation between African regulators would help countries respond faster to harmful medicines, improve monitoring of side effects and reduce dependence on foreign regulatory systems.

    20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 19 May

  1. Ministry reports essential medicines delivered, stock below target

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services has intensified efforts to stabilise Namibia's pharmaceutical supply chain, with essential medicines and clinical supplies delivered to the Central Medical Stores over the past two weeks. The country's pharmaceutical stock service level currently stands at about 60%, below the targeted minimum of 80%, though urgent procurement interventions are showing progress.

    19 May 2026 · New Era →

Monday 18 May

  1. Health ministry adds supplies to address medicine shortages

    The Ministry of Health reports that several essential pharmaceutical products are in short supply or out of stock at health facilities. The Central Medical Stores received pharmaceutical and clinical supplies between 27 April and 15 May 2026, including stocks of seizure control medication, blood glucose test strips, and blood pressure management drugs, intended to address urgent needs and stabilise inventory levels.

    18 May 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Asoli criticizes President's silence on hospital medicine shortages

    The Asoli Progressive Party has criticized President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for what it describes as insufficient response to ongoing medicine shortages in public hospitals, with the party's president Josef Kauandenge saying the government has not acted with enough urgency. Public concern has grown in recent weeks after patients were referred to private pharmacies due to stock-outs, though the Ministry of Health and Social Services announced it will now provide monthly updates on pharmaceutical supplies, with current stock levels at about 60% of required quantities.

    18 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 23 March

  1. Namibia monitors South African Citro-Soda recall for safety risks

    Following a South African recall of Citro-Soda antacid batches, Namibia's Health Ministry is investigating whether affected products entered the local market and will consult with the Medicines Regulatory Council. The ministry has advised the public to remain vigilant and consult healthcare professionals if they experience unusual symptoms after using the product.

    23 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 14 March

  1. Health Minister appoints new Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council members

    The Minister of Health and Social Services has officially appointed new members to the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council, tasking them with regulating medicines and related substances to ensure products reaching the public are safe, effective, and of high quality. The minister warned against attempts to compromise the Council's integrity through corruption or favouritism.

    14 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 13 March

  1. Health minister requires council members to disclose interests

    Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao has instructed newly appointed members of the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council to declare any commercial interests in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry within three months, emphasising transparency and conflict-of-interest prevention. Failure to disclose conflicts can render council proceedings invalid or result in criminal penalties of up to N$8,000 in fines or two years' imprisonment.

    13 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 27 January

  1. Medicines council advises caution with zinc, selenium supplements

    Namibia's Medicines Regulatory Council has advised consumers to consult healthcare professionals before using zinc picolinate and selenium-containing supplements, particularly for children under 18. The council urged the public to report any suspected adverse events to the Therapeutic Information and Pharmacovigilance Centre.

    27 January 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 21 January

  1. NMRC advises caution with zinc picolinate and selenium supplements

    Namibia's Medicines Regulatory Council has urged the public to consult healthcare professionals before using supplements containing zinc picolinate and selenium, especially for children under 18, following safety concerns from South Africa's health regulator. The NMRC is not recalling the products but says consumers should seek professional advice, and has urged reporting of any adverse effects.

    21 January 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 19 January

  1. NMRC advises caution on zinc picolinate and selenium in children

    The Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council has advised the public and healthcare professionals to exercise caution when using products containing zinc picolinate and selenium in children under 18, following South Africa's recall of similar products. While no Namibian recall has been mandated, the NMRC emphasises consulting healthcare professionals before giving these supplements to children and encourages reporting of adverse reactions.

    19 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute