Bisnowaty proposes drug subsidy

Member of Parliament (MP) for Lilongwe City Centre David Bisnowaty has asked government to introduce a drug subsidy where Malawians will be contributing 10 percent to the budget for drugs.

Contributing to the debate on the 2014/15 National Budget amounting to K742 billion on Monday, Bisnowaty, who at one time was managing director of a pharmaceutical company, said such a contribution from Malawians would enable Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) buy enough drugs for all hospitals.

“We welcome subsidies, but these should be on essential items only. For example, drugs. We should have drug subsidy and charge a modest fee and enable CMST procure more drugs,” he said.

Bisnowaty also said distribution of free drugs in hospitals contributes to the critical drug shortage in the country.

The Ministry of Health has been allocated K65.2 billion in the 2014/15 budget which includes allocations to National Aids Commission (NAC) and district health offices.

However, the fertiliser subsidy programme (Fisp) has been allocated K50.8 billion while K7 billion has been allocated towards the pilot programme of the cement and iron sheets subsidy.

The MP also proposed several ways in which government could cut unnecessary spending through procurement of stationery and internal travel.

It was also his belief that Malawians should start to live within their means and stop depending on donors.

“After 50 years of independence and 20 years of democracy, Malawi should stop stretching its hands like a beggar,” Bisnowaty said.