Covid test kits scam uncovered

A SCAM in which some unscrupulous traders are illegally selling Covid-19 test kits has been unearthed with suspects arrested and charged.

This was in an operation conducted by the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) in collaboration with Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) and the Zambia Police.

The suspects whose names have been withheld for investigation purposes were arrested and charged for illegal placement and sale of allied substances on the market without Marketing and import authorisation granted by the Authority.

The suspects have since been released on police bond pending court appearance.

ZAMRA Senior Public Relations Officer Christable Illiamupu has since advised the public to be wary of unscrupulous traders dealing illegally in Covid-19 test kits whose quality cannot be ascertained and are likely to produce false positive or false negative. Ms Illiamupu said the general public should seek Covid-19 test services at health facili

ties recommended by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Meanwhile in another incident, the Authority has seized Ivermectin Tablets from Healthcure Pharmacy Limited in Lusaka Province.

Ms Illiamupu disclosed that the proprietor of the affected retail outlet has since been warned and cautioned for illegal sale and placement of Ivermectin on the market without marketing authorization and will appear in court soon. She disclosed that in Zambia, Ivermectin has been registered and authorised for veterinary use only as there is no conclusive clinical evidence to support its use for prevention or treatment of Covid-19.