The Government has accused several pharmacies and other traders of engaging in “forward pricing” and speculation in violation of exchange control directives as well as standing government policy guidelines with respect to pricing and the use of the Zimbabwe dollar.
In a statement released on Tuesday, 11 July, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, said the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) is conducting investigations to identify the culprits.
It said (FIU) has established that some pharmacies are using parallel market exchange rates ranging from between ZWL$8 500.00 to ZWL$11 000.00 against the USD, in complete violation of Government Policy and the country’s anti-money laundering regulations.
The Ministry said measures have since been instituted against the culprits that will result in the suspension and/or cancellation of the trading licenses of the pharmacies. The pharmacies are:
| Name of Company | Location | Observed Violation |
| Blessed Pharmacy | Chegutu | Using exchange rate ZWL 10 000.00 |
| Global Pharmacy | Kadoma | Using exchange rate ZWL 000.00 |
| Leecare Pharmacy | Kadoma | Using exchange rate ZWL 10 000.00 |
| Pineal Pharmacy | Kadoma | Using exchange rate ZWL 10 000.00 |
| Greenwood Pharmacy | Kwekwe | Accepting USD only |
| Name of compamy | Location | Observed Violation |
| Apex Pharmacist Pharmacy | Gweru | Using exchange rate ZWL 9 500.00 |
| Siegmed Pharmacy | Gweru | Using exchange rate ZWL 10000.00 |
| Booties Pharmacy | Gweru | Accepting USD only |
| Mediplus Pharmacy | Rusape | Using exchange rate ZWL 10 000.00 |
| Greenview Pharmacy | Rusape | Using exchange rate ZWL 11 000.00 |
| Kaizen Pharmacy | Rusape | Using exchange rate ZWL 10 000.00 |
| Necta Care Pharmacy | Mutare | Using exchange rate ZWL 8 500.00 |
| Lancaster Pharmacy | Mutare | Using exchange rate ZWL 9 000.00 |
| Murapi Pharmacy | Mutare | Using exchange rate ZWL 9 000.00 |
| Grey Pharmacy | Mutare | Using exchange rate ZWL 10 000.00 |
| Central Pharmacy | Mutare | Using exchange rate ZWL 11 000.00 |
| Manica Pharmacy | Mutare | Using exchange rate ZWL 10 000.00 |
The Ministry added that the Government remains committed to the broad use of local currency for domestic transactions and stern measures will be taken against service providers who continue to violate provisions.
It urged the transacting public to resist all forms of unfair pricing by retailers and to immediately report violations to the Financial Intelligence Unit.
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