MBABANE – Funduzi Forensic Services has distanced itself from any legal responsibility arising from its forensic audit report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday.
Funduzi notes, in its report, that it had relied on documents provided during the investigation without independently verifying their authenticity.
Funduzi stated: “We reviewed and/or analysed documentation, which was provided to us and, unless the contrary is stated in this report, we have not performed any procedures to verify and/or authenticate any such documentation.”
The company stated that it would take no responsibility for any falsified or forged documents presented to it for auditing.
This is what the audit firm said: “We have taken the documents as what they purport to be and if the documents have been falsified in any way, we will take no responsibility for the findings and conclusions based thereon, which may prove inaccurate if the documents have been falsified or forged.”
Notably, disclaimers in audit reports tabled in Parliament are not comment. In most cases, such documents are meant for public accountability.
However, Funduzi distances itself from any lawsuit or litigation that may arise from its findings. The audit investigation, titled ‘Extension Investigation into the Recall of Medicines and Drugs Including Framework Systems Across Eswatini Public Health Facilities’, was tabled in Parliament by Minister for Finance Neal Rijkenberg on Wednesday.
Funduzi Forensic Services was contracted to conduct an investigation into recalled products whose total value was estimated at E4 821 145.58 for the 2023/2024 financial year.
In a series of disclaimers contained in this report, Funduzi disclosed that it did not perform an audit in terms of the international standards of auditing, but conducted an in-depth review of the processes undertaken in line with the best practice forensic audit approach and methodology.
It could not be ascertained how much government will pay Funduzi Forensic Services for this audit exercise titled.
Regarding the extended investigation, Funduzi disclaimed responsibility for the authenticity of the documents it reviewed.
Funduzi mentioned that it would not accept responsibility for any claim, damages or lawsuit emanating from the ‘implementation’ of its recommendations.
The firm further emphasised that it would not accept liability or responsibility to any other party who might gain access to this report without its express authorisation.
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Suppliers apologise to ministry for drug mislabelling
MBABANE – Suppliers of recalled drugs have apologised to the Ministry of Health.
In a letter dated October 10, 2024, written by the Principal Secretary (PS) Khaya Mabuza to two of the suppliers, it was stated that the product Cloxacillin Suspension USP 125/5ML had been rejected by the Ministry of Health.
According to Funduzi Forensic Services, the reason provided was that the product failed to dissolve properly and exhibited multiple colours, rendering it non-compliant with acceptable pharmaceutical standards.
The firm stated that its observation was corroborated by the Central Medical Stores (CMS), which confirmed that the same batch was inconsistent in colour and displayed a clumpy texture, suggesting poor formulation or instability of the suspension.
Furthermore, in the same correspondence to another company, it was noted that Fluticasone 50µg had been ordered but, upon inspection, the product label on the primary packaging read Fluticasone Nasal Spray 50µg. The auditors stated that the instructions for use printed on the back of the product also indicated that it was a spray formulation, not the intended product.
Subsequent to these communications, the Ministry of Health issued additional letters detailing further product recalls, according to Funduzi.
On September 3, 2024, the Office of the Auditor General wrote to the first-queried company, seeking clarification on the alleged donation of Remdesivir and raising concerns regarding the quality of products supplied by the company. It must be put on record that the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a statement denying any donation of Remdesivir to Eswatini.
Funduzi has appealed that its report is not for any third party and will take no responsibility for any civil action arising from it (report).
In response, the company declined to provide any information as it had escalated it to another forum.
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Mislabelled drugs pose threat to public health
MBABANE – Funduzi Forensic Services states that mislabelling of drugs poses a direct threat to public health, particularly in vulnerable populations reliant on government-supplied medication.
In some cases, Funduzi stated that one supplier acknowledged the mislabelling, issued apologies and attributed the errors to “printing mistakes”, urging authorities to disregard the discrepancies.
According to the auditors, the risks associated with mislabelled or chemically unstable drugs are numerous and potentially severe.
Funduzi Forensic Services said mislabelled medicines can lead to incorrect usage by patients, resulting in underdosing, overdosing or the administration of entirely inappropriate medication.
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Funduzi cites misleading drug labelling
MBABANE – Funduzi Forensic Services has listed what it describes as key reasons for the recalls of drugs.
According to the report, the firm stated summarised the reasons as follows – Misleading or incorrect labelling of medicines or tablets. Unusual chemical reactions in certain tablets. Short-dated stock leading to premature expiry of drugs.
It is said that suppliers of medicines and drugs are generally procured through a formal tender process and subsequently enlisted on the approved supplier database.
Once registered, Funduzi states that suppliers receive orders for drugs and medicines either through scheduled procurement cycles or, in some cases, on an ad hoc basis when specific needs arise.
Upon receipt of an order, suppliers deliver the stock complete with batch numbers and a delivery note, which must be countersigned by both the supplier and the Central Medical Stores (CMS). Public health facilities then place their own orders with CMS, which reconciles its stock and arranges for delivery to the requesting facilities.
*Full article available in our publication
Funduzi says it is not responsible for any lawsuit that may arise from the report, which Minister for Finance Neal Rijkenberg tabled in Parliament on Wednesday. The report is yet to be deliberated with a view to seeing whether it can be adopted or not.