Drug resistance risk as illicit medicine sales flourish in Harare

Source: Drug resistance risk as illicit medicine sales flourish in Harare – herald

Ivan Zhakata

CheckPoint Desk

An underground network of pharmacies and informal traders illegally selling prescription medicines without doctors’ scripts is thriving in Harare, exposing the public to dangerous health risks and raising serious regulatory concerns.

An investigation by CheckPoint Desk has established that antibiotics and, in some cases, controlled drugs are being dispensed over the counter without prescriptions, in breach of the country’s medicines laws. (List of offending pharmacies available)

Over several weeks, this publication has revealed that people buy prescribed medicines such as myprodol, azithromycin, amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin without providing a prescription.

In most cases, attendants did not request medical documentation, relying instead on brief descriptions of symptoms before recommending and dispensing medication.

The investigation also uncovered the growing presence of informal traders operating from tuckshops and street corners, where a range of medicines — including antibiotics and painkillers — are sold under questionable storage conditions.

Some vendors openly admitted to illegally selling the medicines.

“People come here because it is cheaper and faster. Not everyone can afford to see a doctor,” said one vendor operating at corner at the intersection of Rezende and Robert Mugabe Way.

Another trader said demand for antibiotics was high.

“Most customers already know what they want. They ask for specific drugs like amoxicillin and we just supply,” the vendor said.

Members of the public interviewed expressed mixed views, with many citing economic hardships and access barriers as driving the practice.

“I know it is not proper, but going to a clinic costs money I do not have,” said Ms Tariro Moyo, a resident of Budiriro.

“If I have used a drug before and it worked, I just buy it again.”

Mr Learnmore Dube of Mbare said long queues at public health institutions were also pushing people towards pharmacies and informal markets.

“You can spend the whole day at a clinic. Here, you get help in minutes,” he said.

However, others expressed concern over the risks.

“We are putting our lives in danger. You do not know if the medicine is genuine or stored properly,” said Ms Nyasha Chikomo, a Harare resident.

These findings point to systemic weaknesses in compliance and enforcement, despite clear legal provisions governing the sale and distribution of medicines.

Zimbabwe’s laws require that prescription medicines be dispensed only upon presentation of a valid script issued by a registered medical practitioner, a safeguard meant to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Health Professions Association of Zimbabwe (HPAZ) deputy secretary general Ms Reggie Mutsindiri said the findings highlight serious breaches within both formal and informal sectors.

HPAZ is the apex healthcare regulatory body established under the Health Professions Act [Chapter 27:19], with a primary mandate of public protection.

Ms Mutsindiri said while the Authority inspects and registers pharmacy premises, professional conduct falls under the Pharmacist Council of Zimbabwe.

“Dispensing prescription-only medicines without a valid prescription is a serious breach of the law and professional ethics. Such cases are referred for disciplinary action, which may result in fines, suspension or removal from the register,” she said.

She described the illegal sale of medicines by informal traders as a “grave threat” to public health.

“Medicines sold in open markets are often improperly stored or may be counterfeit. These operations operate outside the regulatory framework and place lives at risk,” she said.

Ms Mutsindiri said the unregulated sale of antibiotics is accelerating antimicrobial resistance, a global health crisis that renders common treatments ineffective.

She said addressing the problem requires coordinated enforcement involving the Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Mr Davison Kaiyo, public relations and communications manager for the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, said the Authority was “seriously concerned” by the continued illegal sale and dispensing of medicines.

“The possession of prescription preparations without lawful authority is a contravention of Section 73(1) of Statutory Instrument 150 of 1991,” he said.

Mr Kaiyo said the sale of unregistered medicines violates provisions of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act, while selling medicines from unlicensed premises or by unlicensed personnel also breaches the law.

“Dispensing a prescription preparation without a valid prescription by a registered professional is in contravention of the Ninth Schedule of SI 150 of 1991,” he said.

Mr Kaiyo said such practices expose the public to antimicrobial resistance, treatment failure, adverse drug reactions and substandard or expired medicines.

He said the Authority has intensified nationwide inspections and enforcement operations in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, with offenders facing arrest, prosecution and seizure of products.

Mr Kaiyo urged the public to avoid purchasing medicines from street vendors and other unauthorised sources.

However, Mr Patrick Munamba, chairperson of the Community Pharmacists Association of Zimbabwe (CPAZ), cautioned against generalising the findings to the entire profession.

“We condemn the illegal sale of prescription medicines, but it is important not to label all pharmacists as engaging in such practices. There may be a few bad apples, but the profession is guided by strict regulations,” he said.

Mr Munamba said there are categories of medicines that pharmacists are authorised to dispense without a doctor’s prescription, which can create confusion among the public.

“There is a wide range of medicines that can be initiated by pharmacists, although the same medicines may also be prescribed by doctors. This distinction is often not understood by patients,” he said.

Mr Munamba said dispensing prescription-only medicines without a valid script remains a violation.

“Selling prescription drugs without a prescription is a complete no, but conclusions must be based on evidence and proper context,” he said.

Medical experts said self-medication can mask serious illnesses, delay proper treatment and worsen health outcomes.

Despite periodic crackdowns, the investigation showed that illegal drug sales remain widespread, pointing to gaps in monitoring and enforcement.

As authorities intensify enforcement, the findings exposed a growing “pharmacy underworld” operating in plain sight — one that continues to put lives at risk while undermining the integrity of Zimbabwe’s healthcare system.