HPA Secretary General Clotilda Chimbwanda
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe (HPA) and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) have warned the public against the illegal operation of unlicensed health facilities, illicit distribution of prescription medicines and the unsafe dispensing of medicines by unqualified individuals.
In a joint statement, both institutions reported that recent inspections have revealed an increase in unregistered facilities selling prescription medicines, including anti-hypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-infective, antimicrobial and antiparasitic medicines.
As a result, enhanced surveillance and inspections are underway across all provinces and it has been warned that offenders will face prosecution and the full force of the law.
“Among these are regulated medicines such as Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine, Fluconazole, Tramadol, Glibenclamide, Praziquantel, Co-trimoxazole, Metronidazole, Doxycycline, and Clotrimazole.
“Prescription medicines must only be dispensed by licensed pharmaceutical personnel within registered pharmacies, upon presentation of a valid prescription.
“Self-medication or purchase from unauthorized sources exposes the public to severe risks, including: incorrect dosing and dangerous medicine interactions
“Accelerated antimicrobial resistance; and substandard, degraded, or falsified medicines,” read the statement.
The statement read further that the illegal sale and distribution of prescription medications, as well as the operation of unregistered facilities, constitute serious statutory violations.
MCAZ Director General Richard Rukwata
It added that selling medicines by unlicensed persons from unlicensed premises contravenes Sections 50 and 52 of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control (General) Regulations, 1991 (SI 150 of 1991), as read with Section 106 of the same Regulations.
“The sale of unregistered medicines is a direct contravention of Section 29(1)(a) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act [Chapter 15:03], as read with Section 29(1a) of the same Act.
“The operation of an unlicensed health facility violates the Health Professions Act [Chapter 27:19] Section 99, which strictly prohibits individuals or corporate entities from operating without appropriate registration and licensing by the HPA.
“Furthermore, Section 126 of the Health Professions Act [Chapter 27:19] explicitly prohibits unqualified personnel from performing any act specifically pertaining to a registered profession. Diagnosis, prescription, and clinical treatment must strictly be conducted only by qualified, licensed personnel.”
The institutions reported that they are mandated to safeguard public health, hence they urge the public to seek medical advice, treatment, and pharmaceutical services only from registered health professionals and institutions.
It was added that genuine healthcare facilities and providers can be easily identified by the visible display of: a valid Practicing Certificate from the practitioner’s respective Council’ 2.
“A valid HPA Premise Registration Certificate for institutional registration, and an MCAZ Licence for dispensing personnel and pharmacy premises.
“The HPA and MCAZ extend their profound gratitude to the compliant, dedicated healthcare practitioners who continue to uphold clinical excellence and statutory compliance within Zimbabwe’s health sector,” added the statement.
The HPA and MCAZ have further appealed to the public to report suspicious individuals or facilities masquerading as health professionals reiterating “together, we can eliminate these dangerous, unregulated operations and safeguard public health.”
