By Star Nolwazi
The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has issued an urgent warning to doctors, pharmacists, and the public about a batch of fake cancer and prostate medication found in the country.
The alert concerns an unauthorised version of a drug called Goserelin Acetate, sold under the brand name Zoladex 10.8mg. This drug is used to treat conditions like prostate cancer, breast cancer, and certain gynaecological disorders.
According to MCAZ, the fake drug is being sold through illegal channels. Its packaging contains Afrikaans text, suggesting it was meant for the South African market and was smuggled into Zimbabwe illegally. The Authority confirmed this particular batch was never officially imported or approved for sale in the country.
“MCAZ cannot… ascertain the safety, quality and efficacy of this product,” the warning states. This means the regulator cannot guarantee the fake drug is safe, works properly, or is even the correct medicine.
Authorities have provided a checklist to help identify the fake drug. The approved version is called “Zoladex LA 10.8 mg,” its instructions are in English only, and it comes in a blue box marked with a Zimbabwean registration sticker. The fake version is simply called “Zoladex 10.8mg,” its instructions are in both English and Afrikaans, it comes in a purple box, and it shows a South African registration number.
The MCAZ has ordered all hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and wholesalers to immediately isolate any stock of the fake drug in their possession and hand it over for safe destruction.
Patients or members of the public who may have purchased this specific purple-packaged Zoladex are strongly advised to stop using it and to return it to the pharmacy where they bought it.
The regulator is investigating how the illegal drug entered the market and is urging everyone to only use medicines that are formally registered and approved by the MCAZ to ensure safety and effectiveness.
