The Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia (PSZ) has noted with great concern a report stating that most drugs on the Zambian market are of inferior quality.
There are media reports suggesting that US is reported to have warned its citizens with serious medical conditions about the short supply, of inferior quality, or fraudulent medicines in Zambia.
PSZ President Jerome Kanyika notes that problem of counterfeit medicines is a global concern and is particularly significant in developing countries as it poses a serious threat to public health.
He is calling on all relevant stakeholders and partners including the US embassy in Zambia to urgently put in place necessary mechanisms that would prevent the entry of drugs of inferior quality onto the Zambian market.
“There is need to put in place strong mechanisms against counterfeit medicines as this would assure the quality of medicines on the Zambian market and ensure the safety of the public,” he said.
He has also called on cooperating partners to formalliances with PSZ and ZAMRA and undertake an independent country wide study to ascertain the extent of the problem of counterfeit medicines in Zambia.
Mr. Kanyika says the society will immediately embark on such a study and hope to disseminate the findings to the public and stakeholders upon completion of the study.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia is comprised of the custodians of medicines and is available to work with institutions such as ZAMRA and other regulatory bodies to ensure that the fight against counterfeit medicines is won.
