The $183 million allocated to the Ministry of Health in the 2026/2027 financial year is insufficient to cover future orders of medicines and pharmaceutical supplies, according to Health Minister Va’aaoao Salumalo Alofipo.
The Government's Savali Newspaper reported the Minister's concerns regarding the ongoing shortage of medicines and medical supplies within Samoa’s public health service. The Ministry of Health received a total allocation of $183,429,092 under the 2026/2027 national budget.
Va’aaoao said payments for medicine and pharmaceutical orders placed between 2020 and 2025 had been settled. However, he believes the latest health allocation will not be enough to meet the cost of future orders.
"In his view, the $183 million budget allocated for Health for the 2026/27 fiscal year is insufficient to cover future orders for medicines and medical supplies," said Savali.
He described the shortage and limited availability of medicines as a difficult issue to resolve, pointing to delays involving suppliers, shipping and the process. According to the Minister, suppliers face long waiting periods, particularly for vessels transporting containers of medicines and pharmaceutical products to Samoa.
