Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, says she has appointed a team to investigate how medicine was illegally imported by her department.
The South African National Defense Force imported Interferon for the treatment of COVID-19 from Cuba last year but bypassed pharmaceutical procurement processes.
The drug was imported without permission from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. Top brass from the department appeared for a follow-up meeting before Parliament’s portfolio committee to provide further information on the matter.
Mapisa-Nqakula says a team will investigate to establish the facts. “The matter now at a point where fruitless expenditure appeal; let us please continue the process of engagement between SAHPRA and DOD I accept it was wrong for DOD to bring it in before engaged SAHPRA”
Mapisa-Nqakula added that the department will take action where needed.