- Illegal health facility uncovered
- Stolen medicinal drugs intercepted
THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) on Wednesday unearthed more than 170 lines of unregistered medicine in a surgery allegedly operating without a dispensing licence in Mutawatawa, Uzumba.
The said illegal facility was busted after the public tipped-off MCAZ inspectors.
The inspectors said they believed some of the medicines found were stolen from public health facilities dotted around the country.
“There are indications of stolen medicines from some of the public facilities under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Childcare,” MCAZ inspectors observed.
The inspectors also said their organisation was busy working towards establishing how the medicines had found themselves into unauthorised hands.
MCAZ vowed to enforce the law and ensure strict compliance of medicines movement, in the process help retain their efficiency.
In a statement, MCAZ spokesperson Richard Rukwata reiterated the organisation’s commitment towards implementation of strategies that would bring to an end a trend whereby unqualified personnel are allowed to handle essential medicinal drugs.
“We are working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Central Intelligence Department and Drug and Narcotics Section to conduct more enforcement,” Rukwata revealed.
The entity’s inspectors also encouraged the public to continue assisting it maintain good health standards in the country.
“We will continue to work on whatever intelligence we receive, in collaboration with law enforcement agents and other relevant authorities,” the inspectors said.
On January 13, MCAZ, in collaboration with the ZRP, intercepted a truckload of unregistered medicinal drugs.
MCAZ is responsible for protecting public and animal health by ensuring the safety and or accessibility of medicines and other allied substances.