Online Reporter
Health Reporter
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has raised alarm over the illegal distribution of fake cloxacillin capsules, a critical antibiotic used in the treatment of several bacterial infections.
The counterfeit drugs, which are being sold on the market in violation of national regulations, pose serious risks to public health.
In a statement yesterday, MCAZ director general Mr Richard Rukwata said one of the sources of the falsified product has been traced to a company identified as Gartats Investments.
“The circulation of falsified medicines poses a serious threat to public health and patient safety due to the potential lack of efficacy, harmful components, and the risk of treatment failure in the treatment of bacterial diseases, leading to antimicrobial resistance .
“The Authority would like to draw the attention of all licensed pharmacies, wholesalers, public and private clinics and hospitals that they should quarantine any units of the falsified Cloxacillin 250mg capsules,” he said.
The fake capsules differ significantly from the genuine product manufactured by Varichem Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd.
“The falsified product bears distinctive features that make it different from the genuine Cloxacillin. These include sharp-cornered brown labels instead of the rounded orange-coloured labels used by Varichem. Additionally, the capsules are unmarked, whereas the authentic ones are clearly labelled ‘V-CLOX 250,’” he said.
The authentic Cloxacillin containers are sealed with aluminum foil, a critical safety feature that is missing from the falsified version.
Mr Rukwata warned that consuming counterfeit antibiotics may lead to treatment failure, prolonged illness, or even death, as the product could either contain harmful substances or lack any therapeutic effect. To ensure public safety, MCAZ has instructed all licensed pharmacies, wholesalers and both public and private health institutions to immediately quarantine any suspected falsified Cloxacillin 250mg capsules for submission to MCAZ for safe disposal by August 1.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with law enforcement agencies and supply chain stakeholders to eliminate counterfeit medicines from the Zimbabwean market.
