The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has availed a further
US$3,3 million towards drug procurement, bringing to US$9,9 million the total
disbursements made in the past two weeks.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said
the latest disbursement was earmarked for both private and public sector
pharmacies as well as the manufacturing sector.
“As we continue on the path to normalisation of the health
service, the ministry further advises players in the health sector that
Government is committed to resourcing the industry and the RBZ has in response
released a further US$$3,3 million cash to pharmaceutical industry and other
health institutions,” reads part of the statement.
According to the ministry, the development is expected to
see things normalising in the health sector, particularly in the pharmaceutical
sector.
“As was agreed with various stakeholder representatives,
the health sector would embark on the normalisation process and revert back to
the status quo through accepting different forms of payment for services,
service providers accepting medical aid cards, medical aid societies timely
meeting reimbursements for prescriptions and upholding the value of RTGS:US$ at
1:1,” further reads the statement.
Meanwhile, Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe president Mr
Portifa Mwendera yesterday emphasised the need for consistency in availing of
foreign currency to improve drugs supplies.
He said the initial US$6,7 million availed on October 11
was in the form of letters of credit and drug suppliers were yet to confirm
production of drugs using this arrangement.
Mr Mwendera said the pharmaceutical sector had for long not
been operating using letters of credit.
They were using direct payments, hence suppliers were
waiting for approval from manufacturers on whether they approve production
using this facility.
“So far, none has been able to confirm that supplies will
be delivered using letters of credit and we were told the process takes between
two to three weeks before we receive a confirmation,” said Mr Mwendera.
He said the latest disbursement of US$3,3 million was a
direct payment and supplies were expected to improve soon, but only for a short
period since the amounts involved were far from what is required to meet the
national demand. He said
the pharmaceutical sector alone required US$2 million per week to meet its
demand.
“Retail pharmacies were allocated US$1 million for
importation of medicines and we are going to prioritise medicines for chronic
illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Natpharm company, was also
allocated US$1,5 million to procure drugs for the public sector and the
remaining allocation went to local pharmaceutical manufacturers,” he said.
Mr Mwendera said the allocations were not enough. Natpharm managing director Ms Flora Sifeku was unreachable
for comment regarding progress towards procurements in the public sector.
Most private pharmacies are still demanding payments in US
dollars and refusing to accept medical aid cards. Herald
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