AT a time when rural folk find their health facilities void of medicines it has been discovered they are finding their way at surgeries and unlicensed pharmacies.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
Medicines stolen from Government health facilities have for a while been finding their way to surgeries and facilities in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe without dispensing licenses, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has unearthed.
The Medicines Authority during a recent inspection at Mutawatawa in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe found various types of unregistered medicines.
“Following tip offs from members of the public, MCAZ inspectors visited Mutawatawa (Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe)where inspections conducted in an unlicensed surgery and another facility operating without a dispensing license unearthed more than 170 lines of unregistered medicines,” MCAZ said.
With further interrogations, MCAZ learnt the medicines were pilfered from public health facilities.
“There are indications of some medicines being stolen from Ministry of Health and Child Care public health facilities,” the Authority said. “Members of the public are encouraged to continue reporting such issues which pose a danger to public health.”
This inspection come barely four months after this reporter visited Karoi District Hospital were relatives and guardians to patients complained of being given just prescriptions.
“Karoi Hospital is where medication for the whole district lands. I was here last week seeing a truckload of medicines delivered here. Now its frustrating seeing the doctor writing a prescription saying the medication is not there,” said the guardian who requested anonymity. “Some of the doctors here have surgeries at the business district in Karoi. They just hide some of the medication or overcharge us here so that we go at their surgeries.”
The inspections done by MCAZ come against the background that saw the Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo promised to rope in the police when National Pharmaceutical Company NatPharm officials distribute medication at public health facilities
