Drug firms cited for selling fake drugs
SEVERAL pharmacies including some popular private hospitals have been named in a case of counterfeit drugs allegedly supplied by Melcome Pharmaceuticals and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals companies.
This is in a matter in which Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has sued Melcome Pharmaceuticals Limited and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited and three directors from the two companies for selling medicine without marketing authority and also for false representation contrary to the laws of Zambia. Among the charges slapped on the two firms directors include the distribution of counterfeit medicines to Jubilee Chemist, Parkview Pharmacy, Lusaka pharmaceuticals, Vikay Pharmacy, Bell Pharmacy, Lusaka Chemist, Link Pharmacy, Viva Med, Karibu Pharmacy among others. And the hospitals included Pearl of Health Clinic and Hospital and Fairview Hospital
ZAMRA has also dragged Samuela Baig, managing director at Melcome, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Zambia country director Arjun Salujar, and Sadik A Seedat, a director at Melcome Pharmaceuticals together with Melcome and Glenmark as corporate entities, to court with several charges of selling counterfeit drugs as well as illegal importation of medicine.
The charges included the illegal importation of medicines without authorization contrary to section 39 (1) (3) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Act No. 3 of 2013 of the laws of Zambia.
“In count 1, Melcome Pharmaceuticals Limited and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited on dates unknown but between August 2017 and March 2018 in Lusaka jointly and whilst acting together did import medicine being candibiotic ear drops x 2,700 of 5mililitres without Marketing Authority. ,n count the two firms Melcome Pharmaceuticals Limited and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Baig, Saluja and Seedat whilst jointly acting together, did import counterfeit medicine being candibiotic ear drops [ bottles of fiYe mililitres without an import permit.
The matter was scheduled for plea today before Magistrate Greenwell Malumani at the Lusaka Magistrates Court Complex but due to the absence of two of the accused persons, plea could not be taken.