‘Pharmacies shouldn’t demand payment for insulin in forex’

THE Zimbabwe Diabetes Association has said pharmacies should not demand payment in foreign currency for insulin, a diabetes drug, as the National Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm) is charging retailers in bond notes.

The development comes at a time Government has announced that it has availed US$3,3 million for drugs, US$1 million of which is going to retail pharmacies for importation of medicines with priority given to medicines for chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

A snap survey by The Chronicle in the Bulawayo Central Business District yesterday showed that most pharmacies are still pegging the drug in United States dollars.

Lantus insulin was pegged at US$33 at QV Pharmacy along Fife Street between 9th and 10th Avenue while Emergency Pharmacy along Robert Mugabe Way between 8th and 9th Avenue was demanding US$54 or $203 bond notes. Highfields Pharmacy also located along Robert Mugabe Way between 8th and 9th Avenues did not have the drug but insisted that they charge in US dollars.

Only Medchem Pharmacy located along Fife Street between 9th and 10th Avenue pegged the drug at $50 bond notes and was accepting bank transfers.

In an interview, ZDA Administrator Mr Simeioni Jamanda said insulin is available at Natpharm and pharmacies should go and purchase it there using any form of payment. “Natpharm is the sole supplier of insulin and is not demanding foreign currency as claimed by some pharmacies. Bond notes, Ecocash, Bank transfers and Medical Aid schemes are accepted so demanding US dollars from patients is not acceptable,” said Mr Jamanda.

“We urge all pharmacies to comply with this directive to ensure even distribution of this critical drug. Members of the public are urged to report all pharmacies that demand foreign currency.”

Mr Jamanda said the drug is now also available at Government hospitals.

“The shortage of insulin that recently hit the country has been addressed as Government hospitals received the drug and I have the papers with all these records,” he said.

ZDA distanced itself from a message circulating on social media which claims that the association is giving out free insulin. The message, which is circulating on social media, reads: “Those who need insulin and can’t afford you can go to Zimbabwe Diabetes Association. They make you a member and have free insulin (membership is $17 bond/ Ecocash/swipe per annum). It’s (at) 10 Lawson Ave, Milton Park. It’s along the road going to Blakiston Primary School.”

In response, Mr Jamanda said: “Please be advised that the Zimbabwe Diabetes Association is not giving free insulin to members of the public. The message circulating on social media is not true. The only insulin for free is for youths under 25 under a programme called life of a child.”

“We believe that above 25 years, a person could have completed school and is able to supply themselves. Adults who want to be members pay $5 per annum not $17 mentioned in that message.”

Mr Jamanda said every member also gets free glucometers, a blood glucose monitoring device which is a home measurement system used to test the amount of sugar in the blood. — @tamary98 FORMER President Robert Mugabe’s son-inlaw Simba Chikore who is accused of unlawfully detaining a former Zimbabwe Airways employee Bertha Zakeyo during a dispute, appeared in court yesterday.

Chikore had surrendered himself to police in the company of his lawyer following the recent arrest of his alleged accomplice, Simbarashe Mutimbe.

He was accompanied to court by his wife Ms Bona Mugabe.

Chikore appeared before magistrate Mr Elisha Singano who granted him $30 bail with the State’s consent.

As part of his bail conditions, Chikore was ordered not to interfere with the witness, Ms Bertha Zakeyo, and to reside at his Mt Pleasant house until the matter is finalised.

His alleged accomplice Mutimbe was released on the same conditions.

Chikore was remanded to November 7 and his lawyer Mr Jonathan Samukange notified the State of his intention to apply for refusal of further remand on that day.

Prosecuting, Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that Chikore, who was then ZimAirways boss, connived with Mutimbe, also employed by ZimAirways and unlawfully detained Zakeyo for hours thereby depriving her of her freedom.

It is alleged the pair barred her from leaving Zimbabwe Airways offices. The reasons for the detention are not mentioned. Meanwhile, former First Lady Mrs Grace Mugabe’s sister, Junior Shuvai Gumbochuma, who is facing three counts of fraud after she allegedly misrepresented to the Government her capacity to subdivide land into smaller residential stands but later sold the undeveloped land at a huge profit, was yesterday further remanded to November 22.

Gumbochuma, who is on $500 bail, appeared before magistrate Mrs Ruramai Chitumbura for her routine remand.

She is being represented by Professor Lovemore Madhuku.

It is the State’s case that sometime in August 2014, stands number 139 and 140 Gillingham Estate in Dzivaresekwa were available for sale to deserving and capable developers who could subdivide them into high-density residential stands.

Gumbochuma misrepresented to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing that she had the capacity to develop the land.

On March 27, 2015, she was offered the land and was asked to pay $424 426 to the ministry.

Gumbochuma, the State alleges, who had neither the capacity to pay the intrinsic land value nor to develop it, then formed and registered a company called Scanlen (Pvt) Ltd as a vehicle to effect her fraudulent transaction.

Between August and October 2017, Gumbochuma reportedly sold the land to N-Frasys for $2 060 000 without paying for it.

N-Frasys then paid the intrinsic land value to the ministry and paid the balance to Gumbochuma, the court heard. She made a profit of $1 636 574 without adding any value to the land.