MCAZ warns public against ‘Tsunami’
THE Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe has warned members of the public against purchasing a drug called “Tsunami” that is said to be a hit on the informal market where peddlers allege it cures almost every ailment.
MCAZ director-general Ms Gugulethu Mahlangu confirmed that the authority was aware of the presence of the drug on the market but said those who were selling it were doing so illegally.
“The authority has not received any application for its registration in Zimbabwe, therefore in regard to the statutory requirements, it is illegal in Zimbabwe and persons found distributing it or in its possession are breaking the law,” she said.
Ms Mahlangu said, “Upon assessment of such a medicine and if the authority is satisfied that the medicine is safe, efficacious and of good quality, for human and veterinary use, the medicine will be assigned a registration number. As required by law, no person shall sell any registered medicine unless it is labelled with its registered name and registered number, in addition to any other prescribed requirements.”
She said there was a list of registered and approved products that is published regularly on the authority’s website, aimed at guiding distributors and the public.
“The authority would like to take this opportunity to advise the public to desist from using medicines with unsubstantiated medicinal claims as this might lead to exacerbation of the medical condition, medicine resistant pathogens, serious adverse events and even death.”
Ms Mahlangu said Tsunami may have detrimental effects to one’s health as the authority would not have gone through the rigorous processes involved in the registration of the product to ensure it is of good quality and is efficacious.
“We strongly recommend that you obtain your medicine from authority-licensed premises which are operated by authority-licensed personnel. These premises include licensed clinics, hospitals, dispensing doctors, pharmacies and other retail outlets such supermarkets.”
Ms Mahlangu said the authority was also concerned with the abuse of BronCleer, a cough mixture which is being abused by a number of people. “The Authority has received several reports of a surge in illegal sales of codeine containing cough syrups, namely BronCleer (known as Bronco) which is used as a means to get high. In light of this, the authority reiterates that the public is advised to seek healthcare advice from healthcare professionals and to buy medicines from licensed premises.”