ZAMRA Concerned with Media Reports indicating Self-Medication of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine as Preventive Measure Against Contracting Coronavirus

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ZAMBIA MEDICINES REGULATORY AUTHORITY

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ZAMRA CONCERNED WITH MEDIA REPORTS INDICATING SELF-MEDICATION OF CHLOROQUINE AND HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE AS PREVENTIVE MEASURE AGAINST CONTRACTING CORONAVIRUS

Lusaka, Tuesday 31st March 2020…….The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has noted with concern, reports in some sections of the media of people practising self-medication with certain prescription drugs such as Chloroquine, as preventive measure against contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The general public is cautioned against practising self-prescription but are encouraged to always consult and procure medication under the guidance of an authorised practitioner from licensed facilities.

‘’ We discourage self-prescription as the unguided use of medicines can result in severe adverse events, development of antimicrobial resistance or even death. This is because each medicinal product has a unique safety profile which guides the indications for its particular use, the dosage and outlines potential side effects when used correctly’’.

The Authority wishes to further advise the general public that the best preventative measures against COVID-19 are those practises that target Infection, Prevention and Control.

‘’As guided by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO), members of the public must practice basic hand hygiene through washing of hands regularly using soap or alcohol based hand sanitisers’’.

The Authority further wishes to warn all pharmaceutical outlets and any healthcare professionals selling or dispensing Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine as preventive measures or treatment for COVID-19 to desist from doing so or risk being prosecuted.

‘We remain resolute in our commitment to ensure that the Zambian public have access to quality, safe and efficacious medicinal products and allied substances in the fight against the COVID-19. Pandemic.

Lastly, the Authority wishes to reiterate the government’s call to all citizens to comply with measures that have been instituted to curb the further spread of this virus.

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Issued by:

Christabel Mutale Iliamupu (Mrs)

Senior Public Relations Officer

Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority

Tel:+260 211 220 429

Email:pharmacy@zamra.co.zm,

Website: www.zamra.co.zm