Fined for selling unregistered prescription drugs

The daughter was fined US$200, and in the event that she defaults, will serve two months in jail

Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter

A MUTARE (24) man was sentenced to six-months imprisonment for selling unregistered medicines.

Brendon Leeroy Munyama was, however, given the option to pay US$240, failure of which he risks spending time in jail.

He was convicted on his own plea of guilty to contravening Section 29 (1) (a) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (Chapter 15:03) — which makes selling unregistered medicines a punishable criminal offence in Zimbabwe.

Munyama was convicted for selling unregistered medications — specifically AliviaDor paracetamol tablets, Betasol crème containing hydroquinone, and Epidem crème.

Mrs Kadenha said on April 30, police intelligence received a tip-off that Munyama was selling unregistered medicines at Bumloy Shop in St Joseph’s Park, Mutare.

“The police officers acted on the tip-off, and went to the shop. They found Munyama selling the medicine. The police seized 88 AliviaDor paracetamol tablets (500mg), 20 units of Betasol crème with hydroquinone (15g each), and 16 units of Epidem crème (15g each) from the shop. He was subsequently arrested,” said Mrs Kadenha.

In court, Munyama pleaded guilty.

However, in mitigation, he claimed that he was just an employee, and had not realised the severity of selling unregistered medicine.

“Your worship, the medicines do not belong to me. I am just an employee and my employer is in South Africa. Had I known that selling the medicines was a crime. By so doing I erred and beg for a light sentence from the bench,” said Munyama.

Munyama said his employer uses a delivery agency to supply the medicines from South Africa. He blamed his rural upbringing led to his ignorance of the law.

“I was raised in the rural areas by my grandmother, and I only came to Mutare when I got employment. To be honest, I did not know that it was illegal,” said Munyama.

Mr Mubvumbi expressed concern over Munyama’s lack of awareness regarding the sale of unregistered medicines, particularly in a grocery shop rather than a licenced pharmacy.

“Ignorance of the law is not a defence. It is common knowledge in Zimbabwe that only hospitals and registered pharmacies are allowed to supply medicines. Therefore, I am going to punish you for your ignorance,” said Mr Mubvumbi.

The magistrate, however, handed down a lenient sentence, citing Munyama’s age and status as a first-time offender.