Substandard drugs, condom scandal under spotlight

SANFROSSA MANYINDA writes @SunZambian THE Medical for Quality Healthcare in Zambia (MQHZ) has demanded the immediate suspension of all the officers involved in supplying substandard medical supplies in the Health facilities across the country. MQHZ is disappointed with the Ministry of Health, Medical stores limited (MSL) and Zambia medicine regulatory authority (ZAMRA) for the scandal. MQHZ Media and Advocacy Director, Francis Kangwa, said it was unacceptable for the Ministry of Health to distribute substandard drugs and other medical supplies to the public. Mr Kangwa said substandard drugs, condoms, gloves and other medical supplies that failed to meet the inspection standards were posing a very serious health risks to all users and must be recalled immediately. “Zambia medicine regulatory authority (ZAMRA) and Medical stores limited (MLS) must take their work seriously and should not take Zambian for granted. “We demand that all the officers involved must resign on moral grounds for failing the Zambian people,” he said. Mr Kangwa urged all those that used the substandard condoms and gloves to go for VCT and hepatitis B testing to guarantee their Safety. He said the public needed to know that taking the substandard medicines had bad effects to their bodies that could not be noticed today but in the near future. Mr Kangwa said the vaccine must be tested according to the Zambian standards so that they could assure the public its safety and gain the confidence which had been lost due to the irregularities by the ministry of health.