By BENNIE MUNDANDO
THE Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) says it has put in place initiatives aimed at minimising the potential negative impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on the availability of medicines and allied substances in the country.
ZAMRA senior public relations officer Christabel Mutale Iliamupu said the measures included among other things, expediting the issuance of import permits on allied substances used as preventive measures against Coronavirus and waiving registration requirements on certain products on a case-by-case basis.
Ms. Iliamupu said this would ensure timely availability of allied substances such as facemasks, medical gloves, disinfectants and alcohol-based hand sanitisers that have been recommended as preventive measures against the Coronavirus.
“As ZAMRA, we are in constant communication with manufacturers, wholesalers, Pharmacists and other healthcare providers to identify and respond to medicine and/or allied substance shortages that may arise as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Additionally we urge the pharmaceutical industry and suppliers to report any anticipated disruptions in supply, shortages of products experienced, and any planned withdrawals of products from the market,” Ms. Iliamupu said.
She also said ZAMRA is working with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in actively monitoring availability of safe, quality and efficacious allied substances for use in the prevention of Covid-19.
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