Pharmacies comply with FIU directive
LIVINGSTONE MARUFU
The majority of pharmacies across the country have complied with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) directive not to charge drugs more than the stipulated price of 10% premium of the official rate, it has been learnt.
This was revealed by the FIU director general Oliver Chiperesa.
“We have seen the increased levels of compliance by the pharmacies,”Chiperesa told Business Times.
About 17 pharmacies had their operating licenses revoked in July of this year for selling medications above the stipulated rate.
“We were helped very much by the government’s stance on revoking licences for the pharmacies who were not complying.
“When 17 pharmacies were named and shamed, we saw a huge change in the sector and things continue improving since then as most are now charging within the supermarket range,”he said.
The national taskforce discovered that Booties Pharmacy of Gweru and Greenwood Pharmacy of Kwekwe were accepting United States dollars only.
Blessed Pharmacy in Chegutu, Pineal Pharmacy and Leecare Pharmacy in Kadoma, Siegmed Pharmacy in Gweru, Mediplus Pharmacy and Kaizen Pharmacy in Rusape, Grey Pharmacy and Manica Pharmacy in Mutare were also charging a rate of ZWL$10 000 for US$1.
Chiperesa said FIU made some investigations and found out that the pharmacies were taking their medical drugs from suppliers whom the intelligence unit is having some discussions with.
“What the pharmacists always complained about is that they take rates from the pharmaceutical companies which supplied them with the medical drugs.
“We have been engaging these pharmaceutical companies to comply.
“We are not yet there but we have seen a great improvement and we have done a lot,” Chiperesa said.
