Richard Rukwata, MCAZ Director General
BY NYARADZO CHITUNGO
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) in a statement issued on October 10 has alerted members of the public of unauthorised activities that are being conducted by a company trading under the name Phytomed.
MCAZ has noted with great concern that Phytomed is selling and advertising complementary medicines which have not been approved by them.
These products are being promoted on various social media platforms including WhatsApp and Facebook without prior written approval from MCAZ, contravening Sections 65(1b) and 65(3) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control (General) Regulations, 1991(Statutory Instrument 150 of 1991).
According to regulations cited by MCAZ:
– Section 65 (1b) stipulates that “No person shall advertise any other medicine without the approval of the Authority in writing.”
– Section 65 (3) prohibits the advertisement of any medicine to members of the public in a manner likely to promote its use for the treatment of certain medical conditions listed under the Seventh Schedule of the Regulations.
MCAZ has warned that any person found contravening these provisions is liable to prosecution and may face a fine not exceeding level seven, imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or both.
MCAZ sounds alarm on Phytomed’s unapproved complementary medicines.
These products are being promoted on various social media platforms including WhatsApp and Facebook without prior written approval from MCAZ, contravening Sections 65(1b) and 65 (3) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control (General) Regulations, 1991(Statutory Instrument 150 of 1991).
According to regulations cited by MCAZ:
– Section 65 (1b) stipulates that “No person shall advertise any other medicine without the approval of the Authority in writing.”
– Section 65 (3) prohibits the advertisement of any medicine to members of the public in a manner likely to promote its use for the treatment of certain medical conditions listed under the Seventh Schedule of the Regulations.
MCAZ has warned that any person found contravening these provisions is liable to prosecution and may face a fine not exceeding level seven, imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or both.
The authority further emphasised that the sale and promotion of unregistered complementary medicines pose serious health and safety risks to consumers. Furthermore, it urged the members of the public to purchase medicines only from licensed and approved outlets.
“MCAZ remains steadfast in its mandate to protect public health and safety by ensuring that only safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines are made available on the Zimbabwean market,” said Richard Rukwata, Director-General of MCAZ.
