The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has seized unregistered skin-lightening creams, other body-altering products, expired drugs, and other illicit medicinal products that were being sold illegally in the Chikangwe area in Karoi, Mashonaland West Province.
In a statement, MCAZ said medicines were being sold from flea market tables, and car boot sales among other unauthorized places. It said:
<blockquote>
As part of the Authority’s continued enforcement activities aimed at identified hotspots where individuals involved in the illegal distribution of unregistered medicines, expired drugs, and other illicit medicinal products conduct their business, a blitz was conducted in the Chikangwe area in Karoi, Mashonaland West Province.
The raid led to the discovery of unregistered, expired, and even registered medicines being sold unlawfully. Additionally, skin-lightening creams and other body-altering products were recovered.
These medicines were being sold from flea market tables and car boot sales among other unauthorized places. The MCAZ remains committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of pharmaceutical products available to the public.
</blockquote>
In February this year, MCAZ said it successfully conducted raids in the Gazebo area of Caledonia, Harare, with support from the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s (ZRP) Drugs and Narcotics Division.
MCAZ said that during the raid, six unlicensed shops were inspected, leading to the discovery of unregistered medicines, expired drugs, and even registered medicines being sold unlawfully.
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MCAZ Seizes Unregistered Medicines, Expired Drugs In Karoi

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has expressed concern about the increased advertising of medicines, especially on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter) among others.
In a statement, MCAZ said the law prohibits members of the public from advertising medicines without written approval from the MCAZ.
The authority urged stakeholders to report any violation of the law regarding the advertising of medicines. MCAZ said:
<blockquote>
The advertisement of medicines is governed by section(s) 65(1)(b) and 65(3) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control (General) Regulations, 1991, (S.I. 150 of 1991).
An advertisement according to the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (Chapter 15:03) in relation to any medicine, means any written, pictorial, visual, or other descriptive matter or verbal statement or reference—
(a) appearing in any newspaper or other publication; or (b) appearing on any television or cinematograph film; or 
(c) distributed to members of the public; or (d) brought to the notice of members of the public in any manner whatsoever; which is intended to promote the sale of that medicine;
Section 65(1)(b) states that “No person shall advertise any other medicine without the approval of the Authority in writing”
Section 65(3) states that “No person shall advertise any medicine to members of the public in terms calculated to lead to its use for the treatment of human beings for any of the conditions set out in the Seventh Schedule”
Any person who contravenes the provisions of these regulations, other than a provision for the contravention of which a penalty is provided by subsection (3) of section 38 or subsection (2a) of section 39 of the Act, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level seven or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
The Authority works with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and will take necessary measures including prosecution should anyone contravenes these provisions.
MCAZ urges members of the public to desist from advertising medicines without written approval from the MCAZ. The Authority encourages stakeholders to report such cases to the MCAZ.
</blockquote>
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"Advertising Medicines Without Written Approval From MCAZ A Criminal Offence"

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has delisted 10 local pharmaceutical dealers for allegedly promoting the abuse of Histalix cough syrup by youths.
In a statement on Monday, MCAZ announced it had revoked six operating permits for wholesale dealers and licences for four pharmacists.
Histalix is a locally-produced cough mixture containing codeine, an opioid medicine used for the short-term relief of mild to moderate pain.
MCAZ Histalix was being illegally sold in such places as Mbare and Chitungwiza while others were exporting it to Zambia and Mozambique.
The revocation of permits and cancellation of licences, which runs up to March 2025, is part of efforts to fight drug and substance abuse among youths.
In a statement, MCAZ director-general Richard Rukwata said they are working to get unregistered drug manufacturers and counterfeit drugs off the streets.
MCAZ has classified Histalix cough syrup as a prescription-only drug.
In a speech read on his behalf by MCAZ’s head Licensing and Enforcement divisions Caroline Dandira-Samatanga, Rukwata said:
<blockquote>
We aim to prevent the circulation of counterfeit drugs and unregistered substances that can contribute to drug abuse.
In this regard, the authority, has revoked six permits for wholesale dealers and cancelled four persons licences who were promoting abuse of Histalix, a locally-produced cough mixture containing codeine, by illegally selling it at Mbare and places likes Chitungwiza and others were exporting to countries like Zambia and Mozambique.
Drug abuse is a complex issue that affects individuals, families, and communities across Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Rukwata said MCAZ has noted that there is an influx of over-the-counter medicine that is being smuggled into the country. He said:
<blockquote>
The authority, however, notes with concern that over-the-counter medicines from other countries are continuously being imported illegally.
MCAZ is working with various stakeholders, including the Police, CID Drugs, National Prosecuting Authority, Zimra and port health officials to educate them on the entry of these drugs through ports of entry or illegal channels.
The authority holds training with these stakeholders on a regular basis and has had five trainings in various provinces this year in Masvingo, Beitbridge, Zvishavane, Victoria Falls and Mutare.
Police regularly confiscate some of these cough syrups, and we assist them in writing statements that have penalties.
</blockquote>
Adept, Bestpharm, Action 24 Medical Supplies and Murity Pharmaceuticals had their permits revoked while the firms’ directors and supervisors were banned from operating.
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Medicines Control Authority Revokes Permits For Dealers Promoting Abuse Of Cough Syrup

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has expressed concern over the increased advertising of medicines on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter saying it is in violation of the law.
MCAZ said an advertisement according to the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (Chapter 15:03) in relation to any medicine, means any written, pictorial, visual, or other descriptive matter or verbal statement or reference.
In a statement, MCAZ said section 65(1)(b) states that no person shall advertise any other medicine without the approval of the authority in writing. It added:
<blockquote>
Any person who contravenes the provisions of these regulations, other than a provision for the contravention of which a penalty is provided by subsection (3) of section 38 or subsection (2a) of section 39 of the Act, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level seven or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
</blockquote>
MCAZ said it will work with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to take necessary measures including prosecution, against those illegally advertising medicines on social media.

Advertising Of Medicines On Social Media Worries Medicines Control Authority

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has said Superlife Total Care (STC30) has not been registered with the Authority and is therefore illegal.
STC30 is herbal medicine trending on social media and its promoters claim that it cures almost every other disease and condition.
In a statement, MCAZ Acting Director General Richard Rukwata said STC 30 has not been approved for sale in Zimbabwe and members of the public should avoid buying the product.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe is the regulator mandated to safeguard the safety of public and animal health. Said Rukwata:
<blockquote>
Superlife Total Care (STC30) and many similar products with their numerous medicinal and health claims make them registrable products.
However, STC30 is currently not registered and not approved for sale in Zimbabwe.
As the Authority we have noted the continued advertising and marketing of STC30 products, especially on social media.
We urge members of the public to desist from buying such products which have not gone through any clinical trials and therefore their safety and efficacy have not been proven. Members of the public are encouraged to buy medicines from registered premises and persons. These lists can be found on the online register found on our <a href="https://onlineservices.mcaz.co.zw/onlineregisterformPersonsRegister.aspx">website</a>.
</blockquote>
Rukwata warned that those marketing and distributing STC30 are breaking the law. He said:
<blockquote>
The continued marketing and advertising of such unregistered “medicinal” products is not only an act of criminality but also puts the lives of the citizens at risk.
As the Authority responsible for protecting public and animal health, MCAZ enforces adherence to standards by manufacturers and distributors and will exercise its statutory mandate against the perpetrators of these criminal acts.
</blockquote>
|<a href="https://healthtimes.co.zw/2022/09/16/herbal-product-stc-30-illegal-in-zimbabwe-mcaz/"> Health Times</a>

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