Tag: RICHARD RUKWATA

Zim medicines regulator attains WHO Maturity Level 3

Kuda Pembere

By Staff Reporter The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has been certified as a Maturity Level 3 (ML3) medicines and vaccines (non producing) regulator by the World Health Organization (WHO) making it the sixth African country to attain this level on the continent. Zimbabwe joins the United Republic of Tanzania in 2018, Ghana in 2020, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of South Africa and the Arab Republic of Egypt in 2022 as the only countries that have attained the Level 3 benchmark. After a comprehensive assessment and the…

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Zim, Egypt medical products regulatory authorities sign MOU

Kuda Pembere

THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) and the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen the countries’ ties in the regulation pharmaceutical and medical products as well as trade thereof. By Kudakwashe Pembere Officiating the signing ceremony was the Vice President of Zimbabwe and Health and Child Care Minister Dr Constantine Chiwenga. Also present during the signing ceremony was the EDA delegation led by its Authority chairperson Professor Professor Tamer Essam, the Egyptian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Salma Mowafi as well as MCAZ board…

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Government wraps up MCAZ’s legal instruments

Kuda Pembere

Government says it is winding up the validation of legislations meant to bring the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) closer to its desired target of achieving the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) Maturity Level 3. By Kudakwashe Pembere The WHO’s assessment of regulatory authorities is based on the ‘ Global Benchmarking Tool’ – an evaluation tool that checks regulatory functions against a set of more than 260 indicators – covering core regulatory functions such as product authorization, testing of products, market surveillance and the ability to…

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Zim medicines regulator intensifies surveillance of ‘child killer’ cold and cough syrups

Kuda Pembere

Zimbabwe’s medicines and medical devices regulator the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) says it is stepping up its surveillance of four medical products which killed 69 children in Gambia. By Kudakwashe Pembere While chances are slim that the cough and cold syrups might have found their way into the country, the Authority states they may have unprocedurally found their way in Zimbabwe. In a statement, MCAZ Acting Director General Mr Richard Rukwata notified health professionals in the public of the existence of the lethal medical products. “The Medicines Control…

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Herbal product, STC 30 Illegal In Zimbabwe: MCAZ

Kuda Pembere

MEDICINES and medical devices regulator, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) says Superlife Total Care (STC30), a trending herbal medicine on social media, is illegal for it has not been registered with the Authority. By Kudakwashe Pembere On social media, STC30 is touted to cure almost every other disease and condition, something which is spurious and suspicious. In a statement, MCAZ Acting Director General Mr Richard Rukwata said as a Regulator mandated to safeguard the safety of public and animal health, STC 30 does not have regulatory approval to…

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#JUSTIN: MCAZ Issues Warning Against Using Ivermectin, An Animal Injection To Self Medicate Against COVID-19

Michael Gwarisa

THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has warned members of the public against self medicating for COVID-19 using a Veterinary jab called Ivermectin to prevent against COVID-19 infection. By Michael Gwarisa According to MCAZ Acting Director General, Mr Richard Rukwata, their organisation has over the past few weeks been inundated by calls and inquiries concerning the use of the veterinary injection to prevent against infection from Covid-19. In view of the growing number of inquiries and reports received concerning use of Veterinary Ivermectin injection for prevention or treatment of…

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