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THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) says it is intensifying market surveillance, through strict premise inspections and public awareness campaigns, to ensure that substandard paediatric medicines are not circulated.
In a statement, MCAZ acting director general, Richard Rukwata, said they were sounding the alarm to health professionals and members of the public about the existence of substandard paediatric medicines identified in the WHO Africa region.
Rukwata said MCAZ had been notified by the WHO, through Medical Product Alert Number 6/2022, of the circulation of substandard products identified in the Gambia and reported to WHO in September 2022.
“The four products are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baba Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
“To date, these four products have been identified in The Gambia, but may have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions.
“The stated manufacturer of these products is Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited (Haryana, India).
“To date, the stated manufacturer has not provided guarantees to WHO on the safety and quality of these products.”
Rukwata added:
“The manufacturer is not registered in Zimbabwe and the Authority has not authorised any importation of any products from this manufacturer.
“However, through illegal means, these products may find their way into the local market.
“In the unlikely event that members of the public are in possession of, and or come across these products, please notify the Authority or healthcare provider immediately and desist from administering them to children.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter