Zim running short on critical drugs

HARARE: Zimbabwe’s pharmaceutical sector says it is struggling to import critical medical drugs due to the ongoing shortage of foreign currency.

The sector owes foreign medicine suppliers $38 million (R524m) up from $13m in October last year. Foreign suppliers were now demanding cash upfront, forcing retail pharmacies to also charge for their products in US dollars.

There are shortages of painkillers and anti-diabetes medicines, and a limited supply for about three weeks to a month of medicines at the suppliers’ warehouses.