TMDA stresses law compliance in medicine business
MWANZA: THE Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), in collaboration with the Lake Zone East Pharmacists Council, has convened a meeting with stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector and owners of Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets (ADDOs) to discuss the implementation of laws and regulations governing the medicines business in the country.
The meeting, held recently in Sengerema District, brought together stakeholders from Sengerema and Buchosa District Councils in Mwanza Region. Its main objective was to exchange views on challenges related to the use of medicines, particularly the purchase of drugs without a doctor’s prescription, and the impact of the practice on public health.
Speaking during the meeting, TMDA Lake Zone East Acting Manager, Mr Agrey Muhabuki, said pharmacy shop owners are required to operate their businesses in strict compliance with laws, regulations and guidelines issued by the relevant authorities.
He warned that failure to adhere to the laws could result in serious public health consequences, including improper use of medicines and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Mr Muhabuki said TMDA will continue to provide education to drug shop owners and conduct regular inspections to ensure medicines are sold in accordance with established procedures and that the public is protected from health risks associated with misuse of medicines.
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He further assured stakeholders that TMDA will continue collaborating with health sector partners to strengthen medicines regulation, enhance community awareness and ensure adherence to laws and procedures for the benefit of public health.
A Sengerema resident, Ms Magreth Lugufulo, said the meeting was beneficial to both the community and medicine vendors, noting that it raised awareness on the importance of complying with laws and exercising caution in the use of medicines.
She said cooperation between authorities; drug shop owners and the public is essential in safeguarding community health.
Ms Lugufulo added that the purchase of medicines without a doctor’s prescription is driven by several factors, including long distances to health facilities, high treatment costs, lack of awareness about the dangers of self-medication and the tendency of some citizens to use medicines without professional medical examination.
A total of 183 ADDOs owners attended the meeting and participated in discussions aimed at addressing health challenges arising from improper use of medicines, including efforts to curb antimicrobial resistance caused by misuse of antibiotics.
