The Zambia Medicine Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has raised concerns on the increased number of unregistered drug outlets in the country.
Speaking to ZANIS in a telephone interview in Lusaka today, ZAMRA Spokesperson Ludovic Mwape disclosed that from the numerous drug stores across the country, only 241 drug outlets registered.
Mr. Mwape revealed that early last year to July 2016, the authority through its inspection unit managed to close 140 outlets of which 40 perpetrators have been prosecuted for illegal business dealings.
And Mr. Mwape said the authority will not relent in clumping down illegal drug stores in the country.
He said the law is clear on illegal activities and has thus appealed to members of the public to desist from buying medication from un-registered outlets because they were a health risk.
He however urged the owners of drug stores to employ qualified personnel or risk being visited by the long arm of the law.
TOOTHLESS ZAMRA, PEOPLE ARE BEING EXPLOITED ON MEDICINES PRICES. ONE MEDICINE COSTS K24,000 IN A CHEMIST ON CHACHACHA ROAD, WHERE AS JUBILEE CHARGES K74,000 FOR THE SAME MEDICINE.
INSULIN PEN IS K130,000 AT JUBILEE AND IN ONE CHEMIST ON CHACHACHA, THE SAME MEDICINE IS K95
UNLESS ZAMRA TAKES DELIBERATE STEPS TO PUBLISH PRICES THE UNSUSPECTING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE PAYING A HEAVY PRICE. PLEASE STOP THIS EXPLOITATION AS IT IS GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY
If YOU were the one making that xtra money, you wouldn’t hesitate. So would those on ChaChaCha.
However, Fact is, pharmacies in the inner roads are forced to reduce their prices because, location being a li’l bit more inconvenient, reduced prices are the only card they can play to attract customers like yourself.
Also, so long as rentals are not controlled, drug prices cannot be controlled… otherwise many pharmacies in convenient, and yet expensive areas, would be forced to shut down. At shopping malls, a decent sized chemist will pay $10,000 in rentals… thats K100,000/month! Shocking innit. Let alone profits, cheap prices will not even pay their rentals. They’d close down. Then we’d be the first to complain… again.
Dear ZAMRA
These drug stores are providing a service in places where you high and mighty educated health professionals do not want to set foot on! If not for them, we’d be travelling 200kms for 1 course of piriton, which costs K1.00 in Lusaka! Live them alone!
For mothers trying to buy life-saving medicines, a trip to the pharmacy or drug shop can sometimes be like a dangerous game of Russian roulette.
ZAMRA YOU ARE YET TO SEE MORE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF VODKA JAMESON CHAKOLWA RUNGU IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS…
close them, all up asap!!!!!