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Pharmacy business in unregulated chaos: Who will bell the cat?
2005-07-17 09:06:28
By Simon Kivamwo
A fierce debate over bogus pharmacy stores and operators in the country raged this week during the day-long sensitization seminar to stakeholders on the Pharmacy Act 2002, its regulations and guidelines.
Clearly touched by the bad image the entire pharmacy profession now has earned among the public , most of the delegates called for the concerned authorities to take immediate steps to arrest the situation.
They put the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA), Pharmacists Council of Tanzania (PCT) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) at the centre of the on-going chaos.
They said the situation, threatened the life of many Tanzanians who depend on the mushrooming pharmacy stores when they fall sick .
Reacting to a question raised by the Sunday Observer, the delegates said, the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that every Tom, Dick or Harry felt free to start up a pharmacy anywhere, at anytime, regardless of his or her background.
They further said that, as if that was not enough, wealthy men or women regarded it as a smart move to open a pharmacy for their lovers, as a way of assisting them to employ themselves.
The issue of professionalism has been sidelined completely,remarked Martha Lyimo, an experienced pharmacist from the Coast Region.
She posed one tough question: But, who is actually responsible for dealing with this problem?,
Lyimo said, the worst part of it was the fact that even abortions were being conducted in some of these bogus pharmacies.
She added: “We have reached the stage where a boyfriend decides to offer a pharmacy shop as a gift to his girlfriend?.
“Since 2003, we have been told that the shops were part of a transition process, and that they would be eliminated as soon as there were enough licensed pharmacies run by trained, professional pharmacists which could take their place. However, this has not happened.
Instead new shops keep mushrooming after every passing day, “ she noted.
She said, unless the Pharmacists Board (TPC) took a firm stand , the public view of the pharmacy profession would remain negative.
It is high time that we take tough measures like the Engineers’ Board who have managed to curb the activities of unregistered and unqualified engineers .
Dr O. M. S. Minzi from the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) said, the pharmacy profession has been invaded to such an extent that most of the basic code of conduct was being violated openly.
He posed a question: “Think about these Chinese medicines which are currently found in many shops, being prescribed by a Chinese who cannot express himself in either English or Kiswahili,.
“I don’t understand how these people manage to enter the country and do whatever they like,” he said, asking both the TFDA and TPC to make a follow-up of his concern.
Tanzanian pharmacy regulations stipulate that drug administration and prescription should be made in either Kiswahili or English, and not otherwise.
Wilibroad Kalala, another delegate from the MNH wanted the concerned authorities to make a quick intervention that would ensure that the registration of any pharmacy store is conducted under the pharmacy council’s regulations.
He said, the current state of affairs where any individual could acquire business and registration certificates from the District Authorities, paved the way for bogus operators to engage in the profession.
By the way, why can’t the registration be put under the TFDA?, he asked.
He said that everyone should be aware that 60 percent of the part II drugs being sold over the counter were now being prescribed by unprofessional operators, a state that posed a health risk to all Tanzanians.
A representative from Shelly’s pharmaceuticals asked the general public to stick to the directive which requires pharmacists or pharmacy shop operators to wear an identity card, showing their names and qualifications.
From my point of view, the general public should take a leading role in ensuring this directive is strictly adhered to.
They should not buy drugs from any person who is not wearing an ID, said the representative, who identified herself as Ms Lyimo.
Reacting to some concerns, representatives from both the TFDA and TPC said that joint efforts were required to rectify some contradictory acts so as to redress the problem.
Winna Shango, from the TFDA, said that while the authorities’ act was clear on what language should be used to prescribe drugs (Kiswahili or English for both Part I and Part II drugs), the Traditional Medicine Act did not mention the language aspect.
“Because of this, we are not sure whether the Chinese medicines fall under TFDA or the latter, “ she said, pointing out the need to reconcile the contradictions.
Henry Tandau, TPC’s Secretary General, said it was wrong to point an accusing finger at any one person or group.
It was actually the responsibility of the entire community to rectify the situation.
He said his council, which had been formed after the Pharmacy Act 2002 was enacted by parliament, would strive to see to it that, the professional code of conduct is respected and adhered to.
Tandau said the kanjanja-pharmacists should not be entertained anymore.
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