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Simon T. Nehoma

MCAZ Board Member Nancy Samuriwo outlines a crisis that directly threatens our health system and future pharmacy practice.


25 February 2026  ·  2 min read
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MCAZ Board Member Nancy Samuriwo outlines a crisis that directly threatens our health system and future pharmacy practice.
At the MCAZ AGM, board member Nancy Samuriwo highlighted a critical gap: Zimbabwe has no specific law against counterfeit medicines. This legislative vacuum results in weak penalties, frustrated prosecutions, and a thriving black market for fake drugs. As a BPharm Candidate, this is deeply personal. This gap doesn't just hinder enforcement; it directly undermines our future profession and patient safety. Global Crisis, Local Danger Worldwide Crisis: The WHO estimates that 1 in 10 medical products in low- and middle-income countries is substandard or falsified. These products are often ineffective or directly harmful, fueling treatment failures and the silent crisis of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Concrete Dangers: Counterfeit drugs are lethal. They may contain toxic substances, like antifreeze, or the wrong dose. Tragic global instances exist of patients dying from fake cough syrup or suffering treatment failure from cancer medication with no active ingredient. The Situation in Zimbabwe We acknowledge the progress: MCAZ has attained WHO Benchmarking Tool Maturity Level 3 (ML3), signaling a strong regulatory system, and has begun publishing Public Inspection Reports (PIRs) for transparency. However, even with a robust regulatory foundation (ML3), effective enforcement remains crippled without the necessary legal teeth. The Stakes are High for Our Profession: Erosion of Public Trust: When patients can't trust the medicines they buy, it erodes faith in the entire healthcare system—including us, the future pharmacists who are meant to be the guardians and custodians of medicine quality. Protecting Our Profession: Our years spent learning about drug efficacy and safety shouldn't be rendered meaningless by a flood of fakes. The call is clear: We need a dedicated Anti-Counterfeiting Act to properly equip police, streamline courts, and impose deterrent penalties. This isn't just a legal issue; it's fundamental to building a resilient and trusted healthcare system in Zimbabwe. It's time for stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to unite and demand this crucial legislation. Share this to amplify the call. What are your thoughts on this critical health policy issue? #StopFakeDrugs #PharmacyAdvocacy #FutureOfHealthcare #ZimHealth #MCAZAGM #NancySamuriwo
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Simon T. Nehoma
Simon T. Nehoma

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