ZAMRA recalls defective medicines – Veep

By NOEL IYOMBWA  GOVERNMENT through the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has issued a recall of defective medicines in line with the quality test that were conducted, Vice President Inonge Wina has said. Responding to a question by Monze Central Member of Parliament Jack Mwiimbu who wanted to know if government was proud that it supplied defective drugs to people, Vice President Inonge Wina told parliament that companies in question have been engaged to undertake the recall of the products. She said that a system of spontaneous reporting of medical product quality problems by persons in health facilities is ongoing and that where a report is investigated by authority, appropriate regulatory action is taken.  Ms Wina also told the House that the licensee has also been instructed to provide updates on a regular basis to aid monitoring of the process as directed by ZAMRA. Ms Wina said following the distribution of medical products, ZAMRA received 14 reports on suspected medical quality problems. She explained that government has always taken action on any suspected quality medical problems and that some current issues are under investigation but Government has not concluded what exactly happened at the Ministry of Health. Ms Wina also said that contrary to accusations by Mr Mwiimbu, Government is committed to delivering quality health services to everyone without leaving anyone behind.  Meanwhile, the Vice President has told parliament the matter where some people consumed defective medicines is still under investigation hence it cannot conclude that those who consumed the medicines will be compensated. She was answering a question from Livingstone Member of Parliament Matthews Jere who wanted to know if the government is ready to compensate people who consumed the medicines.