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NAMIBIA MEDICINE REGULATORY COUNCIL

Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC), established under the Medicines and Related Substances Act (Act No. 13 of 2003), is tasked with regulating medicines and related substances available in Namibia. Its main goal is to ensure the continuous safety, efficacy, and quality of approved medicines.

The Council may exercise the powers conferred, and must perform the functions assigned, to the Council by or under the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act.

The functions of the Council are to:
  • Advise the Minister and report to the Minister on any matter referred to the Council by the Minister for consideration and arising from the application of this Act; and
  • Register medicines and any other thing that is required or prescribed to be registered.

The Minister of Health and Social Services officially appointed the 5th Namibia Medicine Regulatory Council (NMRC) and inaugurated it on the 17th of April 2023.

The Council is chaired by Dr Ishmael Katjitae with Ms. Grace Nakalondo being the deputy chairperson. Other members of the 5th Council include Mr. Barnabas Iitula, Ms. Belinda Tsauses, Dr. Lorraine Ndjoze, Dr. Martha Shiyanga, Dr. Natangwe Amuthenu, Dr. Richard Milinga, Ms. Esther Ambunda, Dr. Minty Soni and Ms. Tonata Enkara.

As per the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act (Act No. 13 of 2003), the Council should consist of 12 members as follows:
  • All suspected reactions to new medicines
  • Unknown or unexpected medicines
  • Three (3) pharmacists
  • Three (3) medical practitioners
  • Two (2) veterinarians nominated for appointment by the Minister of Agriculture
  • One (1) legal practitioner nominated for appointment by the Minister of Justice
  • One (1) practitioner who in the opinion of the Minister has sufficient knowledge on medicines and related substances
  • One (1) registered nurse
  • One (1) other person