By Scoop Reporter
THE Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) says it has noted with concern, reports in some sections of the media of individuals and companies advertising various products purported to cure Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).
ZAMRA senior Public Relations Officer Christabel Mutale Iliamupu yesterday said the public must be cautious against the purchase and use of any unauthorized products alleged to cure COVID-19, as these products could be harmful and lead to severe adverse effects.
Ms. Iliamupu maintains that there is no proven cure of COVID-19 yet and that the best preventative measures are those practices targeted at prevention and control of infections.
She says as guided by the Ministry of Health, members of the public should wash hands regularly using soap or apply alcohol-based hand sanitisers, wear face masks in public places and practice social distancing.
She warned people advertising and selling any product purportedly for use as a cure against COVID-19 to refrain from doing so or risk being prosecuted.
“According to the Medicines and Allied Substances Act (No.3) of 2013, any person involved in the manufacturing, distribution, storage, sell, supply or advertising of any medicine or allied substance without marketing authorisation commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding two million penalty fee units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding four years, or both
“Furthermore, members of the general public are urged to report incidences of sale and advertising of unauthorised medicines to the Authority,” Ms. Iliamupu.
