THE Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe (PSZ) has said it
will stop supplying vitamin-based medicines and supplements, which are
classified as less important, until the cash crisis in the country normalises.
PSZ spokesperson Mr Sikhumbuzo Mpofu said until the
economic situation in the country stabilised, pharmacies would be concentrating
on importing and manufacturing essential medicines.
“Less important medicines such as cough syrups, supplements
and other vitamin-based medicines will no longer be a priority. We as an association
want to ensure that we supply life saving medicines to the nation,” he said.
Mr Mpofu said the country had stopped stocking medicines
due to a $29 million debt owed to suppliers.
Questioned about the issue of pharmacies charging in forex
Mr Mpofu said: “This thing is just about a week old, our aim is to make sure
that medicine is affordable and accessible. That is our mandate. We held an
indaba last year with stakeholders and we did touch on this issue, where we
predicted such a scenario. It is unfortunate that priority was given to other
industries, but we have tried to hold the fort. For some pharmacies, it has
been a tall order, raw materials needed in the manufacturing of medicines is
expensive and is required in forex.”
Mr Mpofu said some pharmacies had resorted to individually
sourcing medicines to remain afloat.
Concerning the issue of paying workers in foreign currency
since they were now charging in foreign currency, Mr Mpofu said it was a less
important topic, as the issue was only a fortnight old. Sunday News
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