TMDA bans adverts for prescription alcohol-treatment drugs
TANZANIA: THE Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) has banned advertisements promoting prescription medicines claimed to reduce or eliminate the urge to consume alcohol, warning that using such drugs without medical supervision could expose users to serious health risks.
TMDA Director General, Dr Adam Fimbo, said the authority had identified advertisements on some media outlets and social media platforms promoting medicines, including Naltrexone, Acamprosate and Disulfiram, as products that can help people reduce or stop alcohol consumption.
He said the medicines are classified as Prescription-Only Medicines (POM) under the 2026 Medicines Classification Regulations (GN No 150) and should only be used under the prescription and supervision of a qualified medical practitioner.
“Using these medicines without medical advice or assessment exposes users to a high risk of adverse health effects,” he said.
Dr Fimbo said the potential risks include harmful drug interactions, liver and other organ damage, as well as effects on the nervous system, with the severity depending on the type of medicine and the user’s health condition.
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He said Section 52 of the Medicines and Medical Devices Act, Cap 219, prohibits the advertising of prescriptiononly medicines to the general public.
Information on such medicines, he said, may only be provided to healthcare professionals through scientific journals or other authorised medical publications.
Dr Fimbo further directed traders, healthcare providers, media owners and social media operators to immediately stop preparing, broadcasting, publishing or distributing advertisements promoting the medicines.
“Members of the public are urged to report any individuals, facilities, telephone numbers, media outlets or accounts found advertising or selling these products,” he said.
The authority urged the public to remain cautious about advertisements claiming that prescription medicines can treat alcohol dependence without professional assessment and supervision.
TMDA said reports of such advertisements or sales can be submitted through its offices in Dodoma, Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Mbeya, Songea, Tabora and Geita, or via email at info@tmda.go.tz.
