The Parliamentary Committee on Health has sent Victoria Pharmaceuticals Industry Limited back to prepare a comprehensive presentation after its representatives failed to provide key information about the company’s operations.
The committee, which is investigating drug theft, falsified and substandard medicines in Malawi, expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s presentation, saying it lacked essential details needed for effective scrutiny.
Members questioned the representatives’ preparedness, noting that they could not provide information on when the company started operating, its production capacity, regulatory licences, contractual arrangements and the volume and distribution of its products.
The committee also criticised the company’s management over what members described as disrespect towards Parliament, including failure to comply with the institution’s dress code.
Committee chairperson Anthony Masamba directed the company to return on Friday with a properly organised presentation containing the required information.
He said members needed substantive details about the company’s operations to enable them to engage its representatives effectively and examine its role in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Victoria Pharmaceuticals managing director Furkan Gani apologised for the inadequate presentation and the dress-code breach.
Gani explained that the company had received the invitation through an email account it rarely uses and only discovered it on Wednesday.
He assured the committee that the company remained committed to cooperating with Parliament and providing the necessary information.
