Advertising Of Medicines On Social Media Worries Medicines Control Authority
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has expressed concern over the increased advertising of medicines on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter saying it is in violation of the law.
MCAZ said an advertisement according to the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (Chapter 15:03) in relation to any medicine, means any written, pictorial, visual, or other descriptive matter or verbal statement or reference.
In a statement, MCAZ said section 65(1)(b) states that no person shall advertise any other medicine without the approval of the authority in writing. It added:
Any person who contravenes the provisions of these regulations, other than a provision for the contravention of which a penalty is provided by subsection (3) of section 38 or subsection (2a) of section 39 of the Act, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level seven or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.
MCAZ said it will work with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to take necessary measures including prosecution, against those illegally advertising medicines on social media.
