Medical

MBABANE - An audit report for Parliament’s attention raised questions about a COVID-19 treatment drug, Remdesivir, which was used in Eswatini at the height of the pandemic.

The report alleges that the drug, labelled with the term ‘Phase III’, was not registered for sale and suggested it was a donated trial medicine rather than a legally acquired pharmaceutical.

The auditors noted the ‘Phase III’ label and concluded it was a label of a clinical trial substance.

In the audit report, Remdesivir injections received in the country were described as a ‘trial drug which was not yet registered for sale’, bearing markings such as ‘Phase III Survey No. 166, 171, 172 & 177, TSIIC’.

In India, a government land survey numbers, referred to as a cadastral survey numbers, is a unique numeric identifier assigned to a specific piece of land during the surveying process.  

The heading of the audit query reads: Fraudulent purchase of a donated trial drug. It then concludes: “We identified the Remdesivir injection which was received in Mbabane as a donation from COVID-19 treatment sites. This was a trial drug which was not yet registered for sale at the time and clearly marked as such (Phase III Survey No. 166, 171, 172 and 177, TSIIC) and furthermore, this was clearly marked not for distribution in the US, Canada or EU.” A Times SUNDAY investigation has revealed that Desrem (Remdesivir) is manufactured under a licence from Gilead Sciences, Inc, to be distributed in licensed countries only.

Then this issue of purported drug labels. This drug injection is Mylan Laboratories Limited at Plot No. 42 to 52, Survey No.166, 171, 172 and 177, TSIIC, Phase III, IDA, Phashamylaram (V), Patancheru (M), Sangareddy District, Telangana State – (502307).

It has been established that the actual code for this drug is ‘TS/DRUGS/SGY2020-65910’.

Furthermore, research has shown that TSIIC III refers to the third phase of development for TSIIC (Telengana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation) Biotech Park located in Karkapatla Village, Mulungu Mandal, Medak district, Telengana. It is part of the larger Genome valley, an area known for life sciences research and development. Specifically, it must be said that Phase III includes both Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and non-SEZ areas, offering various incentives for biotech companies.

Investigations also unearthed that the park provides infrastructure like well-planned plots and utilities to support biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

It is strategically situated about 50 kilometres from Hyderabad, providing access to research institutions and a skilled workforce, according to HelloLandMark.

Essentially, according to researched information, TSIIC III is a key component of the TSIIC Biotech Park, offering a conducive environment for biotech businesses to operate and innovate.

This newspaper can mention that Mylan Laboratories India, the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and Swazipharm Wholesalers (Pty) Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a manufacturing plant for drugs, in the country.

Full article available in our publication.

The Remdesivir drug injection which Funduzi claimed was received in Mbabane as a donation but WHO and Avapharm refuted this assertion. In a media statement in June 2024, WHO clarified that it never donated to Eswatini. (Pics: Courtesy)

In the audit report, Remdesivir injections received in the country were described as a ‘trial drug which was not yet registered for sale’, bearing markings such as ‘Phase III Survey No. 166, 171, 172 & 177, TSIIC’.