Syndicates Cash In Selling Illicit Medicine In Harare

An underground network of pharmacies and informal traders illegally selling prescription medicines without doctors’ scripts is thriving in Harare, exposing the public to dangerous health risks and raising serious regulatory concerns.

An investigation by CheckPoint Desk has established that antibiotics and, in some cases, controlled drugs are being dispensed over the counter without prescriptions, in breach of the country’s medicines laws. (List of offending pharmacies available)

Over several weeks, this publication has revealed that people buy prescribed medicines such as myprodol, azithromycin, amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin without providing a prescription.

In most cases, attendants did not request medical documentation, relying instead on brief descriptions of symptoms before recommending and dispensing medication.

The investigation also uncovered the growing presence of informal traders operating from tuckshops and street corners, where a range of medicines — including antibiotics and painkillers — are sold under questionable storage conditions.

Some vendors openly admitted to illegally selling the medicines.

“People come here because it is cheaper and faster. Not everyone can afford to see a doctor,” said one vendor operating at corner at the intersection of Rezende and Robert Mugabe Way.

Another trader said demand for antibiotics was high.

“Most customers already know what they want. They ask for specific drugs like amoxicillin and we just supply,” the vendor said.

Members of the public interviewed expressed mixed views, with many citing economic hardships and access barriers as drivers.