Board resolutions on disciplinary hearings involving pharmacy personnel and business premises
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) is informing stakeholders and the public that at its 87th Meeting of the Board of Directors held on 30th – 31st July 2026 in Lilongwe, the Authority considered and determined ten (10) disciplinary cases involving registered pharmacy personnel and licensed pharmacy business premises.
Pursuant to its mandate, under Section 4(g), to serve and protect the public interest, and the statutory requirement to publish notifications of removal from the register under Section 29 of the PMRA Act, No. 9 of 2019, the Authority hereby publishes the outcomes of the disciplinary hearings.
Read full details here.
PMRA hails Uganda’s NDA for RIMS collaboration
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) has hailed the collaboration with the Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA) on the implementation of a comprehensive digital transformation programme aimed at strengthening regulatory efficiency, transparency, accountability, and service delivery through the automation of core regulatory functions and processes.
PMRA Director General Charles Chimenya made the remarks on Monday in Kampala, Uganda at the start of a five-day benchmarking visit to the NDA on the implementation of Regulatory Information Management System (RIMS).
The PMRA delegation is undertaking a shadowing visit to gain practical knowledge from the NDA’s successful experience with its integrated RIMS (iRIMS). With financial support from the World Bank, PMRA is in the process of implementing its own RIMS to integrate and automate all core regulatory functions as part of a broader digital transformation agenda.
“We were looking for a peer Regulatory Authority that is not only strong in terms of WHO Maturity Level status but also operates a fully functional RIMS with modern, end-to-end functionalities. We believe there is no better place to learn from than the NDA, an institution that has successfully navigated this complex journey,” said Chimenya.
He thanked the hosts for their warm welcome and commended their openness to sharing best practices. He added that the NDA’s hands‑on experience to RIMS implementation would serve as a critical reference point for PMRA’s ongoing digital transformation journey.
On his part, NDA Secretary to the Authority Dr. David Nahamya assured the PMRA delegation of Uganda’s full support throughout the RIMS implementation process.
“We are here to share with you what we have,” said Nahamya, reaffirming the spirit of collaboration between the two regulatory bodies.
The implementation of RIMS will support the Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s digital agenda through the Malawi National Health Product Register (MNHPR) and the National Product Catalogue (NPC) as core platform components. RIMS will push validated product data to the MNHPR, which will serve as the central record of product registrations and lifecycle events. The NPC will then consume this validated data from the MNHPR and enrich it with supply chain attributes. This integrated flow will establish a single reference point, improve data quality, enable stakeholder information sharing, and support evidence-based regulatory oversight.
PMRA commits to transparency, accountability
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) Director General, Charles Chimenya, has reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to transparency and accountability, declaring PMRA a “corruption-free zone”. He made the remarks on Tuesday, July 14 2026, as he officially opened a four-day competency training for the Authority’s Institutional Integrity Committee (IIC) at the Manac Conference Facility in Dowa.
The training, facilitated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), aims to equip the recently reconstituted IIC with tools to uphold the highest ethical standards.
“This is not just a slogan, it’s a commitment,” Chimenya stated, emphasizing that integrity underpins every regulatory function and decision PMRA makes.
He stressed that delivering on PMRA’s mandate of safeguarding public health demands unwavering public trust, with integrity as the cornerstone of the Authority’s credibility.
The DG issued a direct call for all staff to embrace integrity, with IIC members expected to lead by example. He warned that he would not hesitate to remove any officer from the Committee whose conduct falls short of the expected standard, describing this as a promise to protect the institution’s reputation.
Chimenya assured the committee of full institutional backing from the Board and Senior Management, pledging the necessary resources, enabling environment, and support to carry out their oversight mandate without fear or favor. He recognized the IIC as the “conscience” of PMRA and encouraged members to speak up and raise red flags.
He expressed confidence that by the end of the training, which runs up to Friday, participants would be armed with the tools and skills to execute their oversight mandate with confidence and competence.
NOW OPEN: Registration for July 2026 licensure examinations
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) hereby announces that the July 2026 Licensure examinations for pharmacists, pharmacy technologists and pharmacy assistants will be administered as follows:
| Date | Time | Activity | Venues |
| 30th July 2026 | 08h00 | Written exams (all candidates) | Mzuzu, Blantyre, Lilongwe (Specific venues to be communicated) |
| 31st July 2026 | 08h00 | Oral exam (pharmacists only) | Mzuzu, Blantyre, Lilongwe (Specific venues to be communicated) |
To be eligible to sit for the examinations, candidates must meet the prescribed requirements, which are available on the PMRA website: ctechlogic.com/pmra/.
Application Process
Applications for the exams will be accepted online through Pharmacy Personnel Licensing portal. Candidates are advised to carefully read and follow the instructions below:
- To access the portal: Go to E-Services menu on the PMRA website: ctechlogic.com/pmra/ then select Pharmacy Personnel Licensing Portal.
- Create an account: Fill in the required general information and click “Create account”.
- Upload the required documents under My Profile including passport-size photo, proof of identification (National ID or Passport Bio page) and proof of qualification (copy of certificate, notification of results or academic transcript).
- Create application: Under My Applications, click on “create an application” and select JULY 2026 EXAMINATION and your preferred centre. Only those whose applications have been approved by the Authority upon complying to the requirements will be able to see the Examination session and apply for it.
- Submit the application: Click Apply to submit your application.
Application Review Process
All applications will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be issued with Application Number and bank payment details for them to proceed to pay applicable examination registration fees.
Once payment is made, upload proof of payment under the application session (click Application).
Confirmation
Once payment is confirmed by the Authority, candidates will receive examination number.
Tracking Application Status
Candidates can track the status of their application by logging into their account on the Pharmacy Personnel Licensing portal and checking the “My Applications” section.
Please note that the online application for the July 2026 licensure examinations starts on Tuesday, 23rd June, 2026 and closes on Wednesday, 22nd July, 2026.
For more information and/ or assistance please contact PMRA on +265 881 790 993 / +265 999 379 544/ +265 993 276 081 or email at info@pmra.mw.
PMRA welcomes Mr. Charles Chimenya as Director General
The Board of Directors of the Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) wishes to inform stakeholders and the public that Mr. Charles Chimenya has been seconded from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to serve as Director General of the Authority, effective 19th May 2026.
Mr. Chimenya is a seasoned pharmacist and career civil servant who brings a wealth of experience in the pharmaceutical sector, spanning medicines regulation, supply chain management, strategic planning, policy development and implementation; and systems strengthening.
He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) Degree from the University of Malawi – College of Medicine (now Malawi University of Health Sciences – KUHeS), a Post Graduate Certificate in Management of Medicines in International Health from TropEd and a Master of Science Degree in Supply Chain Management from University of Bolton (UK).
The Board is confident that Mr. Chimenya’s expertise and leadership will greatly contribute to advancing the Authority’s mandate of safeguarding public health through the effective regulation of medicines, allied substances and the pharmacy profession in Malawi.
The Board wishes Mr. Chimenya every success as he steers PMRA towards the realisation of its strategic goals.
Indian national fined K6.1m for illegal importation of unregistered medicines
The Blantyre Resident Magistrate’s Court has convicted and fined K6.1 million an Indian national, Azhar Chand Khan (36), for illegally importing assorted unregistered medicines into Malawi, contravening the Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) Act (2019).
Senior Resident Magistrate Masauko Daniel Chijere found Khan guilty on three counts of possessing medicines without authorization, contrary to Section 95; importing medicines without a permit, contrary to Section 104(2); and failing to obtain PMRA authorization for controlled substances, contrary to Section 60 of the PMRA Act.
On 26th November 2025, Police at the Bakili Muluzi International Airport intercepted and arrested Khan upon his arrival from India.
Following the interception, the Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) was engaged to provide technical identification of the impounded medicines and expert testimony to demonstrate gravity of the offence.
Khan was found carrying unregistered medicines, including potent chemotherapy agents, controlled substances such as ephedrine injections, and large quantities of prescription tablets, syrups, and topical products—all requiring strict handling and legal authorization. He attempted to smuggle the medicines into the country using false documents that listed him as a “patient.”
Passing judgment on Wednesday, 6th May, 2026, the court sided with State Prosecutor Inspector Samson Balakasi, who had argued for a stiffer sentence. Balakasi emphasized that unauthorized importation of medicines poses serious risks to patients and undermines Malawi’s regulatory framework for safe drug control.
Accordingly, the court imposed a fine of MK3,000,000 or 48 months imprisonment for the first count, MK2,600,000 or 36 months imprisonment for the second count, and MK500,000 or four months imprisonment for the third.
In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture of all seized medicines to the Malawi Government.
Photo credit: Malawi Police Service (MPS).
PMRA, CMST strengthen collaboration bolster Malawi’s pharma supply chain
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) and the Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) have reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing Malawi’s pharmaceutical supply chain through strengthened regulatory collaboration and service delivery improvements.
This came to light on Friday when PMRA hosted CMST delegation led by Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Moses G.P. Chisale, for a courtesy call at its offices in Lilongwe.
The strategic discussions centred on key operational and regulatory priorities, including the registration of medicines procured by CMST, sampling and quality control procedures, and supplier vetting processes, among others.
Speaking after receiving the CMST delegation, PMRA Acting Director General, Mrs. Chrissy Chulu, reaffirmed the Authority’s dedication to working closely with CMST to uphold high standards of quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines.
She noted that enhanced collaboration in medicine registration, quality assurance, and capacity building will play a critical role in protecting public health and reinforcing the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
On his part, Dr. Chisale highlighted the importance of sustained engagement between the two institutions in promoting efficiency, quality assurance, and responsiveness within their regulator–client relationship.
He emphasized that strong collaboration between CMST and PMRA is vital in safeguarding the quality, safety, and availability of medicines and medical supplies for Malawians.
The meeting underscored PMRA’s role as a regulatory partner and the shared responsibility of both institutions in ensuring that Malawians have access to quality-assured medicines.
Media release – Recall of affected batches of multiple products following safety concerns
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) is informing stakeholders and the general public that it has received product recall alerts issued by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) of Kenya and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). These alerts concern specific batches of several pharmaceutical products manufactured by companies that are also registered to supply the Malawi market. The recalls have been initiated following the identification of quality and safety concerns.
Full statement is available here.
Notice of administration of March 2026 licensure exams
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) hereby announces that the March 2026 Licensure examinations for pharmacists, pharmacy technologists and pharmacy assistants will be administered as follows:
| MZUZU | BLANTYRE | LILONGWE | |
| TIME | 08h00 | 08h00 | 08h00 |
| DATES | 30th March, 2026 (Written exams for all) | 30th March, 2026 (Written exams for all) | 30th March, 2026 (Written exams for all) |
| 31st March, 2026 (Oral exam for pharmacists) | 31st March 2026 (Oral exam for pharmacists) | 31st March 2026 (Oral exam for pharmacists) |
To be eligible to sit for the exams, candidates must meet the prescribed requirements, which can be found on the PMRA website ctechlogic.com/pmra/.
Application Process
Applications for the exams will be accepted online through Pharmacy Personnel Licensing portal. Candidates are advised to carefully read and follow the instructions below:
- To access the portal: Go to E-Services menu on the PMRA website: ctechlogic.com/pmra/ then select Pharmacy Personnel Licensing Portal.
- Create an account: Fill in the required general information and click “Create account”.
- Upload the required documents under My Profile including passport-size photo, proof of identification (National ID or Passport Biopage) and proof of qualification (copy of certificate, nofication of results or academic transcript).
- Create application: Under My Applications, click on “create an application” and select MARCH 2026 EXAMINATION and your preferred centre.
- Submit the application: Click Apply to submit your application.
Application Review Process
All applications will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be issued with Application Number and bank payment details for them to proceed to pay applicable exam registration fees.
Once payment is made, upload proof of payment under the application session (click Application).
Confirmation
Once payment is confirmed by the Authority, candidates will receive examination number.
Tracking Application Status
Candidates can track the status of their application by logging into their account on the Pharmacy Personnel Licensing portal and checking the “My Applications” section.
Please note that the online application for the March 2026 licensure examinations starts on Wednesday, 18th February 2026 and closes on Thursday, 19th March, 2026.
For more information and/ or assistance please contact PMRA on 0881790993 / 0999379544/0993276081 or email at info@pmra.mw.
The Director General
Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority
P.O. Box 30241
Lilongwe 3.
Email:info@pmra.mw
Date of Issue: 18th February, 2026
Release of November 2025 licensure exam results
The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) is pleased to announce release of results of registration examinations for pharmacists, pharmacy technologists and pharmacy assistants which were administered on 27th and 28th November 2025.
Candidates who sat for the examinations can access their results through the Pharmacy Personnel Licensing Portal (https://pmis.pmra.mw/login).
For those candidates who sat for the examinations to enroll for internship program should confirm their results with Mr. Clement Ngwira on +265 881 79 09 93 or +265 999 379 544 starting Wednesday, 31st December 2025 from 07:30 a.m.
PMRA is further reminding all registered pharmacy personnel that Section 26 (2) of the PMRA Act No. 9 of 2019 provides that a person registered under section 25 of the Act shall not be allowed to practice without a practicing licence issued at a fee by the Authority.
This implies that to practice pharmacy in Malawi, both new and old registrants are supposed to apply for a practicing licence. Those with existing accounts on the pharmacy personnel licensing portal can apply for their practicing license directly through the portal..
For further enquiries, please contact PMRA on +265 881 79 09 93 / +265 999 379 544 or email at info@pmra.mw during normal working hours.