Drug resistance risk as illicit medicine sales flourish in Harare

An underground network of pharmacies and informal traders in Harare is illegally dispensing prescription medicines, including antibiotics and controlled drugs, without doctors’ prescriptions, according to an investigation by CheckPoint Desk. Over weeks, the publication found that medicines like myprodol, azithromycin, amoxicillin, and ciprofloxacin were sold over the counter, with attendants often dispensing drugs based solely on symptom descriptions rather than medical documentation. Informal vendors operating from tuckshops and street corners also sell antibiotics and painkillers under questionable storage conditions. Some traders openly admitted to the illegal sales, citing convenience and lower costs as key reasons for customer preference. One vendor at the intersection of Rezende and Robert Mugabe Way said, ‘People come here because it is cheaper and faster,’ while another noted high demand for specific antibiotics like amoxicillin. Residents expressed mixed reactions, with many citing economic hardship and long clinic wait times as reasons for relying on informal drug sales. Ms Tariro Moyo, a Budiriro resident, admitted, ‘Going to a clinic costs money I do not have,’ while Mr Learnmore Dube of Mbare said, ‘You can spend the whole day at a clinic. Here, you get help in minutes.’ However, others like Ms Nyasha Chikomo warned, ‘We are putting our lives in danger,’ highlighting concerns over medicine authenticity and storage. Zimbabwe’s laws require prescription medicines to be dispensed only with a valid doctor’s script, but enforcement remains weak. The Health Professions Association of Zimbabwe (HPAZ) described the illegal sales as a ‘grave threat’ to public health, noting that unregulated antibiotics accelerate antimicrobial resistance—a global crisis making common treatments ineffective. HPAZ’s deputy secretary general, Ms Reggie Mutsindiri, stated that dispensing without prescriptions is a serious breach, with potential disciplinary action including fines or license revocation. The HPAZ emphasized that informal traders operate outside regulatory oversight, increasing risks of counterfeit or improperly stored medicines. Addressing the issue requires coordinated enforcement, though systemic weaknesses in compliance and monitoring persist. Authorities urge the public to seek medicines only through licensed pharmacies with valid prescriptions to mitigate health risks.