Dispute over drug dispensary heats up
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday August 15, 2023 06:00
The directive, which grants nurses and midwives the authority to dispense medication, has sparked controversy and raised concerns amongst patients and the public.
Central to BONU’s objection is the apparent lack of a clear legal foundation supporting the director's directive. BONU officials have pointed out the absence of specific enabling legislation that justifies granting nurses and midwives the responsibility of medication dispensation.
In response to these apprehensions, BONU has engaged in dialogue with both the Director of Health Services and the employer. According to BONU’s account of the discussions, the director indicated that invitations were extended to nurses and midwives to seek authorisation for medication dispensation. However, not a single nurse pursued this authorisation. Consequently, the director expressed her intention to issue a sweeping authorisation for nurses to engage in dispensing medicines.
This proposal faced resolute opposition from BONU representatives during the meeting. The union disagreed with the suggested approach, asserting that nurses and midwives should not assume the role of medication distributors. BONU firmly holds that medication dispensation falls outside the purview of nurses and midwives, thus rejecting the authority granted by the Director of Health Services.
Kenosi Mogorosi, the National Publicity Secretary of BONU, issued a directive urging all nurses and midwives to disregard the Director's notice. Mogorosi emphasised that if any Ministry of Health official attempts to coerce, instruct, or intimidate nurses and midwives into dispensing medication, such incidents should be promptly reported to the union. Earlier, on June 23, BONU’s President, Peter Batsalelwang, communicated the union's intent to cease medication dispensation on July 1.
In a formal communication addressed to the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) and copied to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Batsalelwang underscored that the prevailing practice of nurses and midwives dispensing medicines is both unlawful and a breach of the ethical code governing their profession.
This decision, he noted, was taken to ensure alignment with the Medicines and Related Substances Act of 2013 and the Nurses and Midwives Act of 1995. BONU’s communication highlights Section 26 (1) (a-c) of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, which categorises operating a dispensary without proper authorisation as a punishable offence, potentially leading to imprisonment or fines.
BONU stressed that the responsibility of dispensing medicines rests with duly authorised professionals, firmly restricting nurses and midwives from assuming this role. Meanwhile, to ensure adequate support and maintain the quality of healthcare services provided, the government has recently advertised over 450 temporary pharmacy technician positions to alleviate the burden on the currently understaffed and overworked pharmacy workforce.