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PPC Report on The National Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm) [S.C 8, 2006]
Report of the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Welfare
First Session – Sixth Parliament, Parliament of Zimbabwe
Presented to Parliament on May 31, 2006

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The National Pharmaceutical Company (NATPHARM) is a successor to the Government Medical Stores. The Company was established through an Act of Parliament, The Government Medical Stores (Commercialisation) No. 13 of 2000.

1.2 The objectives and functions of NATPHARM are ;

a) to purchase, sell, deal in and store medicines , medical equipment and other goods and articles for use in hospitals , clinics, pharmacies and other medical establishments; and
b) to perform any other function set out in it’s memorandum of association.

In performing it’s functions , NATPHARM is mandated to give priority to serving the needs of the state , to the extent that it is compatible to do so.

Location
Your Committee was given a brief that NATPHARM is a decentralized organization with 6 stores in the country. Besides Harare, it has depots in Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo and Chinhoyi.

2. COMMITTEE’S ENQUIRY
2.1 Your Committee made enquiries into the operations and activities of NATPHARM. The Committee was mainly concerned with establishing the following;

a) To establish the current levels of drug supplies- essential ,vital , TB and Anti Retrovirals

b) To analyze schedules of foreign currency allocations from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe towards the procurement of drugs

c) To understand the process of distribution of drugs from NATPHARM to the, Provincial, District and Rural Health Center institutions.

d) T o inspect the security system in place following the alleged recent theft of drugs at the NATPHARM

3. METHODOLOGY
3.1 The Committee conducted oral interviews officials at NATPHARM head office as well as Hospital Supritendants and Administrators at selected institutions in Mashonaland East and Manicaland Provinces.

3.2 The Committee analyzed written evidence submitted by witnesses

3.3 The Committee conducted site inspections of NATPHARM premises in Harare

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