• LCC is worried about the growing number of unlicensed herbal-medicine vendors.
• The local authority is worried as some medicines maybe reactive to some individuals and it is difficult to trace the vendors.
• TAPAZ must approve the medicines for them to be deemed fit for human intake.
Lusaka City Council (LCC) says it will soon remove all vendors for herbal remedies that are operating in the Central Business District (CBD) without valid licenses from the Association of Traditional Healers in Zambia (TAPAZ).
Council Public Relations Manager Chola Mwamba said the Local Authority is worried about the growing number of unlicensed herbal-medicine vendors.
Ms. Mwamba stated that the issues border on human health, hence the Council will not allow anyone vending in herbal remedies without a valid license from Association.
“This is a public health concern because there has been a growing number of illegal vendors selling medicines such as sexual organ enlargement, bringing back lost lovers and enhanced body warmth among others.”
“The treatment for herbal medicine is mostly herbal preparations in form of roots or powders administered orally and other therapies therefore, there is need to ensure that the people administering such medicines are operating within the guidelines of the law. The regulating authority, TAPAZ must approve the medicines for them to be deemed fit for human intake so that they are not a health hazard to people,” Ms. Mwamba stated.
She urged citizens not to buy herbal medicines from unlicensed herbal-medicine vendors because it is a breach of the Public Health Act.
“Many vendors are selling organ enlargement and bringing lost lover remedies without licenses. Therefore, the local authority is worried as some medicines maybe reactive to some individuals and it is difficult for them to trace the vendors who sold them the medicine,” she added.
