Zimbabwe has intensified its fight against counterfeit and illicit medicines following a nationwide crackdown conducted under a global operation targeting illegal pharmaceutical activities.
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe, working in partnership with Zimbabwe Republic Police, took part in Interpol’s Operation Pangea XVIII, which focuses on disrupting the production and distribution of fake and unregistered medical products.
Director-General Richard Tendai Rukwata said the operation was aimed at protecting the public from dangerous and unregulated medicines flooding the market.
“MCAZ, in partnership with the Police Zimbabwe, participated in the Interpol Illicit and Global Health Operation Pangea XVIII aimed at combating the proliferation of illicit, counterfeit and falsified medical products,” he said.
Rukwata said the operation combined online surveillance, inspections of pharmacies, raids on illegal facilities, border interceptions and financial investigations to track criminal networks.
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“Activities included online surveillance, pharmacy inspections, raids on illegal facilities, border interceptions and financial investigations,” he said.
He said the exercise resulted in significant breakthroughs, including arrests and the exposure of illegal operations.
“We recorded more than 100 arrests, uncovered illegal medicine production in homes, exposed fake ‘health practitioners’ and noted a rise in counterfeit veterinary medicines,” he said.
Rukwata warned that counterfeit medicines pose serious health risks to the public, as they may be ineffective or harmful.
“Only buy registered medicines from licensed premises,” he said.
He said the authority will continue strengthening enforcement and surveillance systems to curb the spread of illegal medicines and safeguard public health.
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