Pharmacy Offering Medical Tests illegally

A PHARMACY in Lusaka is providing medical services including HIV testing to customers at a fee, contrary to health regulations.
A check by the Sunday Mail revealed that the pharmacy is offering HIV testing at K15, malaria testing (K15), blood pressure check-up (K5), blood sugar testing (K5) and pregnancy testing (K5).
Other services the pharmacy is offering include weight check-up (K2), height (K2) and body massage for five minutes (K5).
The pharmacy, according to their advertising sheet, provides consultation and follow-up services. This has raised eye-brows among health providers.
A check at the pharmacy revealed that when one walks to the counter, a sales representative asks the customer (patient) to go behind the counter to take the required test.
“We conduct HIV testing though at the moment we do not have antiretroviral drugs. We usually advise our patients after testing them to go and test for CD4 count. But if you have the money, just pay and the test will be conducted,” the sales lady said.
The Zambia Medicine Regulatory Authority (ZMRA) said it is an anomaly for a chemist to offer services that are supposed to be offered in a hospital set-up.
ZMRA public relations officer Ludovic Mwape said pharmacies are only allowed to dispense medicines and nothing else.
“We have received the disturbing reports and officers will be on the ground to fish out pharmacists who are conducting hospital services in a chemist,” he said.
Mr Musonda said pharmacies are only supposed to perform pharmacy services such as general sale of medicine, cosmetics and herbal medicines.
The Zambia Medical Association (ZMA), who conducted an independent investigation, said they have reported the matter to the Health Professional Council of Zambia to ensure that they get to the root of the problem.
ZMA president Aaron Mujajati said chemists are not allowed to offer hospital services because it is difficult to hold them accountable if something goes wrong with a patient.
Dr Mujajati said there is a set standard for a hospital such as being located in a certain area, have a medical doctor and running water.
The Act states that the premises to be used are suitable for conducting pharmacy business, the pharmacy is under the management and control of a pharmacist at all times and the activity or business to be carried out does not contravene any other written law.

Posted by Editor on February 15, 2015. Filed under HEALTH. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

9 Responses to Pharmacy Offering Medical Tests illegally

nato

February 15, 2015 at 9:05 am

thi is common in the copperbelt also-luanshya is one such place
CD4

February 15, 2015 at 9:17 am

Honestly mr pharmacist,that’s pure contravenin of the law,,just bcoz u’v employed a counselor who hapens to knw how to prick a finger dasnt allow u to run thoz tests,,despite them bn rapid tests,they too needs to be quality controlled.if samthin goes wrong,,u will go behind bars,,I wonder if all of them in that kantemba clinic hav valid practicing licences…
Jackson

February 15, 2015 at 9:47 am

I do not agree with the statements that have been put across. But because it is an opinion made by an editor, who in his view thinks understands professional matters related to the practice of pharmacy does not make his opinion correct.

ZAMRA is not mandated to comment on any issue relating to the practice of Pharmacy, especially outside medicines regulation.

ZMA is also not a regulatory body for the practice of pharmacy. If they had time to waste on investigating this issue, then it was a waste of enerrgy and resources.

The editor of the story should have consulted the appropriate institution so that you are guided properly than making media statements with such contemptious ignorance on pharmacy services.
Please get in touch with the Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia for more details.
Frank Mushinji

February 15, 2015 at 10:34 am

anyone who is against me, he or she is against God
Frank Mushinji

February 15, 2015 at 11:50 am

All accusations posed on me are false ,and their roots are evil , i know who are behind all this. And from my mouth i shall always speak the truth and truth shall stand out,i wonder what these individuals want from me,am not a politian .
Frank Mushinji

February 15, 2015 at 12:15 pm

My conscience explains well to me that,i have never insulted any elderly person if you feel bothered with that ,please ! i appologise because iam a humanbeing,am mean’t to make mistakes
Frank Mushinji

February 15, 2015 at 4:16 pm

Do anyone know why i go through painful experiences and situations , no one knows at all , but, myseif knows better the reasons why i pass through such painful experiences and situationns ,well i bear his name(God). please what you have talked on me is enough , leave me alone in peace.And those stand to tempt me on the grounds i can’t mention .please stop talking about me , and mind your bussineses
Kids Soccer Jerseys

February 15, 2015 at 7:32 pm

I have tried to work with, nonetheless it will not performs in any way.
poly

February 16, 2015 at 9:29 am

Remember the Kwacha East Dentist in Kitwe.This Dentist only stopped his illegalities after being counselled by the court ( Several months behind bars ).But why is it that nearly all pharmacies have identified the illegalities as a source of extra income. God help them!