Zambian Pharmacist Calls on Government to Empower Regulatory Agency

A Zambian pharmacist has called on the government to empower the agency in charge of issues relating to counterfeit drugs in the country, reports the Zambia Post.

“The Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency needs to be equipped properly. It is a professional body that works very hard to check on the quality of medicines the Zambian patients consume. This is a body that is serious with issues of public health, but they work under difficult conditions,” Christopher Sakala said during an anti-counterfeiting seminar held by the Stop Stock-out Campaign in Lusaka.

Sakala warned that counterfeit medications pose a serious threat to the health of the Zambian public, with consumption of illegitimate drugs leading to unsuccessful treatments. He also said that increased presence of counterfeit drugs in the market could potentially cause the public to lose confidence in the system.

He encouraged the government to hire more inspectors for the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority and expand its presence beyond airports and border control stations. He also asked that all health institutions use licensed pharmacists to tell the difference between real and counterfeit drugs.