Online Reporter
Zimpapers Writers
POPULAR “flu packs” being sold at pharmacies across Bulawayo have come under scrutiny amid concerns over their legality and the potential health risks they pose, particularly their contribution to antimicrobial resistance.
The concern comes at a time when cases of seasonal respiratory illnesses typically increase, with many people experiencing symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, sore throats, headaches, fever and body aches commonly associated with influenza and other viral infections.
With the cold weather often driving more people to seek quick and affordable remedies, flu packs have become a popular option in many pharmacies, particularly in Bulawayo, where they are being sold for as little as US$1.
The flu packs, which gained popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic when similar combinations were commonly referred to as “Covid packs”, typically consist of a mixture of medicines assembled by pharmacists and sold as a single treatment for flu-like symptoms.
Health experts have, however, warned against use of flu packs with local physician Dr Misheck Ruwende saying pharmacies were duping the unsuspecting public as flu is a virus and cannot be treated using an antibiotic.
“I have no idea of what that is. I am hearing it from you. As long as there is an antibiotic, there is nothing that we are doing, flu is a virus, it doesn’t need antibiotics. It is only making things worse in Zimbabwe because we are already dealing with resistances, which is why at times, you are prescribed antibiotics and it doesn’t work.
“I am not sure though what type of antibiotics that is, whether is amoxicillin or whatever type, it is not supposed to be there. I do not see the sense of a flue pack anyway because flue must be treated with a paracetamol, Vitamin C to boost your immune system and water. It is just a virus,” said Dr Ruwende.
Investigations have, however, revealed that some pharmacies in the city are selling the packs for as little as US$1, with each containing a combination of up to eight tablets that patients are instructed to take at once.
These are sold without any prescription.
Common ingredients found in the packs include antibiotics such as Amoxicillin and Azithromycin, corticosteroids such as Prednisolone, antihistamines including Chlorpheniramine and Allergex, as well as Vitamin C and Paracetamol.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has warned that the sale of antibiotics without a prescription is illegal and poses a significant public health threat. MCAZ spokesperson Mr Davison Kaiyo said the sale of antibiotics without a prescription from a medical doctor gave the rise to antimicrobial resistance.
“The sale of antibiotics without a prescription is illegal. This gives rise to the challenges of antimicrobial resistance. Antibiotics must only be sold upon presentation of a prescription,” said MCAZ.
According to the World Health Organisation, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites adapt and no longer respond to medicines.
As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, making infections persistent and increasing the risk of severe illness, disability and death.
Health experts say one of the major concerns surrounding the flu packs is the absence of a standard formulation, with different pharmacies reportedly preparing different combinations and dosages of medicines. This means patients may be taking medicines that are unnecessary for their condition, receiving incorrect dosages or exposing themselves to potentially harmful drug interactions.
Medical practitioners note that most common flu infections are caused by viruses, meaning antibiotics are generally ineffective unless there is a confirmed bacterial infection. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics can encourage the development of antimicrobial resistance, a phenomenon where bacteria evolve and become resistant to medicines that were previously effective in treating infections.
According to health authorities, antimicrobial resistance is emerging as one of the greatest threats to global public health, making common infections more difficult and costly to treat.
are also concerned about the inclusion of corticosteroids such as Prednisolone in some of the packs, warning that such medicines should only be used under medical supervision as they can suppress the immune system and may worsen certain infections.
Pharmacists interviewed, however, defended the selling of the flu-packs, revealing that would never necessarily put their patients at risk.
“While we understand that selling these flu-packs is illegal, what you should understand is that we are pharmacists by training and we work with these medicines on a daily basis, when we prescribe something, it would be after proving that indeed it works.
“Further, we would never purposely endanger our patients, we know what we are doing and this has proven to work, which is why we keep on selling these flu-packs over the counter,” said a pharmacist on condition of anonymity.
However, another pharmacist in the city said they had stopped the sale of the flu-packs after being notified by the Government that it is illegal.
“What they (Government) realised was that these flu-packs particularly affected patients with High Blood Pressure, Diabetes and other medical conditions. What you should realise is that the dosages of these packs is usually high and can be very risky, hence the decision to ban them,” said the pharmacist.
MCAZ urged members of the public to seek professional medical advice when unwell and to obtain prescription medicines only through lawful and regulated channels.
