MCAZ cracks down on illegal pharmacies

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Check Point Desk

THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has issued a stern warning to all unlicensed pharmacies across the country, vowing to shut down operations and prosecute offenders in a crackdown meant to protect public health and restore regulatory order.

The warning follows revelations that several pharmacies in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South are operating illegally, some without ever registering, while others continue to operate using expired licences.
According to the MCAZ’s real-time register, Bulawayo has 43 officially registered pharmacies. However, a survey by

Chronicle has uncovered several operators running outside the law, with some facilities reportedly owned or operated by public health officials, including doctors.

In rural districts like Tsholotsho, Bubi, Nkayi, Inyathi, Esigodini and Dete, no officially registered pharmacies exist, yet the pharmaceutical trade continues, raising alarm over the availability of potentially unregulated and harmful medicines.

MCAZ spokesperson Mr Davison Kaiyo said operating an unlicensed pharmacy is not only a criminal offence, but also poses a serious threat to public health.

He said they will act swiftly once they receive the names and locations of unregistered facilities. “In terms of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (Chapter 15:03), no person or entity is permitted to operate a pharmacy without a valid licence issued by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe. Should any pharmacy be found operating without such authorisation, the premises will be closed immediately, and the responsible parties will be referred for prosecution,” said Mr Kaiyo.

He said MCAZ, through its Licensing and Enforcement Division (LED), conducts routine and complaint-driven inspections to ensure full compliance with the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act.

“The Authority also urges members of the public to report whenever they come across such cases. Licences should be displayed in pharmacies where they are visible,” said Mr Kaiyo.

“Operating an unlicensed pharmacy is not only a criminal offence but also poses a significant risk to public health, as such establishments may dispense unregulated, substandard, or counterfeit medicines.”

Mr Kaiyo said MCAZ is committed to protecting public health through effective regulation and enforcement.

The Chronicle survey found that the availability of registered pharmacies is alarmingly low in most parts of Matabeleland. In Gwanda, there are four registered pharmacies — Healthcare (Nssa Complex), Healthkings (Kings Street), Med-Chem (Corner Soudan/Bigben Road), and Phakama Pharmacy. In Hwange, there are two registered pharmacies — Priceline and Number One.

Carelink Pharmacy is the only registered pharmacy in Lupane, while in Plumtree, there are three registered pharmacies, which are Meds24, Plumtree and Urban Breeze.

Victoria Falls City has six legally operating pharmacies: Booties Victoria Falls, Medical Centre Chemist, Med Mint, Parksmed, Vine and Your Pharmacy.

In areas where there are no registered pharmacies, residents rely on informal vendors, a practice that increases the risk of substandard or counterfeit medicines entering the healthcare system.

Former president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe, Mr Sikhumbuzo Mpofu, called for immediate legal action against operators of unregistered pharmacies.

“Medicine becomes poison once it is in the wrong hands, and operating a pharmacy outside the regulatory requirements must never be allowed. As practitioners, we go through a very rigorous registration process because people’s lives are in our hands,” he said.

Mr Mpofu urged members of the public to be vigilant and always purchase medicine from registered pharmacies and avoid going for cheap medicine.

“These unregistered pharmacies are also fuelling drug and substance abuse, which our country is fighting. Law authorities must descend on these people heavily; they are committing treason because they want to wipe out our people,” he said.