Tag: MCAZ

Zimbabwe’s Medicines Regulatory Body Registers Lencapavir

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has announced the expedited approval of Lenacapavir, an innovative long-acting medicine for pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV-1 infection. The MCAZ Director-General, Mr. Richard T. Rukwata, said “the rapid approval of Lenacapavir reflects the Authority’s dedication to accelerating access to trusted, high-quality health products and brings new hope for HIV prevention while reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding public health.” Lenacapavir was assessed and approved by the Registration Committee under the expedited review process, as it is considered to be…

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Zimbabwe urged to adopt legal framework against counterfeit medicines

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere At a time when Zimbabwe lacks legal frameworks to address the sale and distribution of falsified and substandard medicines, the country remains at a disadvantage in fighting this growing problem. This was said by Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) board member Nancy Samuriwo during the Authority’s 7th annual general meeting held last Friday. Her remarks followed those of MCAZ Director General Richard Rukwata, who highlighted that the Authority is working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to curb the distribution of counterfeit medicines. Rukwata also noted…

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Zimbabwe’s Medicines Regulator MCAZ Eyes WHO Maturity Level 4 Certification

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Zimbabwe’s medicines regulator, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), is working towards achieving Maturity Level 4 under the World Health Organization’s Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT), a prestigious certification that would place the country among a select group of nations with advanced regulatory systems. Having attained Maturity Level 3 in June 2024, MCAZ is now recognised by the WHO as a stable, well-functioning regulatory authority. The move to Maturity Level 4 signals the Authority’s ambition to continuously improve regulatory oversight, enhance transparency, and adopt globally accepted best…

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Zimbabwe Authorities Warn Against Illegal Use of Ozempic as Weight-Loss “Skinny Jab”

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter  The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) and the Health Professions Authority (HPA) have issued a stern warning to the public against the illegal sale, purchase, and use of the prescription drug Ozempic—popularly known as the “skinny jab”—amid rising reports of its misuse for weight loss purposes. Originally developed and approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Ozempic has recently gained attention for its off-label use as a rapid weight-loss solution. However, authorities caution that unsupervised use of the drug poses serious health risks and could…

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MCAZ Recalls Captopril Tablets Used for High Blood Pressure and Heart Conditions Over Quality Concerns

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has issued a Class II recall of Torrent Captopril 25mg tablets, a widely used medication for high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure, due to a detected quality defect that could compromise its safety and effectiveness. The recall affects Batch B520K001, manufactured by Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd of India, and is being carried out up to the retail level, including pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. In an official statement, MCAZ Director Mr. Richard Rukwata confirmed the recall was triggered after the affected…

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MCAZ Recalls Captopril Tablets Used for High Blood Pressure and Heart Conditions Over Quality Concerns

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has issued a Class II recall of Torrent Captopril 25mg tablets, a widely used medication for high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure, due to a detected quality defect that could compromise its safety and effectiveness. The recall affects Batch B520K001, manufactured by Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd of India, and is being carried out up to the retail level, including pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. In an official statement, MCAZ Director Mr. Richard Rukwata confirmed the recall was triggered after the affected…

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Number of Licensed Cannabis Producers Sharply Drops from 60 to Five

Kuda Pembere

By Kudakwashe Pembere The number of licensed producers of cannabis for medicinal and scientific use in Zimbabwe has shrunk from 60 to about 10, following the renewal of license fees. The decline follows several failed attempts at license arbitrage, a Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) top official said on Tuesday. Since the issuance of the first license in 2019, many holders have struggled to meet renewal requirements due to some of the conditions and challenges such as securing land for cultivation. License arbitrage refers to the practice of leveraging…

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MCAZ Warns Against Unapproved Advertisement of Medicines

Michael Gwarisa

By Staff Reporter The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has raised alarm over the increasing trend of unapproved medicine advertisements, particularly on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter). The authority has noted that celebrities and social media influencers are among those promoting these medicines, including herbal and complementary products, without the required authorization. MCAZ Director-General Mr. Richard T. Rukwata emphasized the legal and health implications of such advertisements, stating, “The unauthorized promotion of medicines poses a significant risk to public health, as it can…

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Zim, Botswana medical products regulators renew MoU

Healthtimes

By Staff Reporter The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has restored its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) to bolster their partnership in medical products regulation. The first MoU was signed in November 2020 and it was for three years. “The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) is pleased to announce the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA),” said MCAZ director general Mr Richard Rukwata in a statement. “This renewed partnership underscores the commitment of both…

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Zim medicines regulator attains WHO Maturity Level 3

Kuda Pembere

By Staff Reporter The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has been certified as a Maturity Level 3 (ML3) medicines and vaccines (non producing) regulator by the World Health Organization (WHO) making it the sixth African country to attain this level on the continent. Zimbabwe joins the United Republic of Tanzania in 2018, Ghana in 2020, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of South Africa and the Arab Republic of Egypt in 2022 as the only countries that have attained the Level 3 benchmark. After a comprehensive assessment and the…

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