mbulelo smpofu
Peter Matika, peter.matika@chronicle.co.zw
A BULAWAYO magistrate has acquitted a herbal medicine company, Laxen Herbal Solutions, which had been taken to task for allegedly selling unregistered complementary medicines, of all charges.
The decision was reached after Bulawayo magistrate, Mrs Eva Matura ruled that the evidence presented was insufficient.
“The definition of complementary medicines refers to products wholly manufactured and fully packaged outside the country, then imported for redistribution,” Mrs Matura said.
Laxen Herbal Solutions specialises in traditional medicines and was being charged with violating Sections 18 (1) and 18 (3) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (MASCA), which regulates complementary medicines in Zimbabwe.
According to court records the State alleged that the company’s products were packaged to resemble pharmaceutical-grade complementary medicines, such as powders and capsules.
It was stated that detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics received a tip-off on August 22 that the company was selling unregistered complementary medicines.
Reacting to the tip, police raided and confiscated products valued at US$5 035.
Inspectors from the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) were also summoned to join the investigation, but the court found no grounds for prosecution.
In delivering her verdict, the magistrate noted that online sources, including Google, define complementary medicines as treatments that can be taken with modern medicines.
“The key question was whether the medicine was complementary or traditional. The arresting witness confirmed that all the company’s licenses complied fully with the provisions of the law governing their operations.
“The accused persons clarified that their medicines are wholly manufactured and packaged locally, under the Traditional Medicines Act,” Mrs Matura said.
She highlighted that there was no evidence to prove the products had been imported or unregistered complementary medicines.
