Zimbabwe Warns Citizens Against Use of Fake COVID-19 Vaccines, Test Certificates

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Zimbabweans are reportedly using domestic animals medicine- ivermectin injection to vaccinate against coronavirus as use of fake drugs and Covid-19 test certificates rile the government.

The country’s Covid-19 cases increased drastically and more than doubled to close to 20 000 since December, from about 8,000 that had been recorded between March and November 2020.

Panic has seen unscrupulous citizens resorting to unapproved use of veterinary ivermectin injection for prevention of Covid-19, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) confirmed in a statement.

Veterinary ivermectin is a veterinary product approved for the treatment and control of parasites in animals only.

MCAZ warned citizens that using un-prescribed drugs is a risk to one’s health.

“In view of the growing number of enquiries and reports received concerning use of veterinary ivermectin injection for the prevention or treatment of Covid-19, the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) is strongly advising members of the public, veterinary medicines general dealers and healthcare practitioners against the use of veterinary formulations of ivermectin injection in humans for the prevention or treatment Covid-19, or any other health condition,” said acting MCAZ director Richard Rukwata in a statement.

He urged any researchers interested in exploring novel therapeutics for Covid-19 to only do so under clinical trial settings, or in any other manner after prior authorization by MCAZ.

“Veterinary ivermectin is not indicated nor is it approved MCAZ for use in humans. Furthermore, Section 88 of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control (General) Regulations 1991. S.I 150 of 1991 prohibits the use of any veterinary medicines for the treatment of humans.

“Unapproved uses of medicines can lead to negative health problems, worsening of your condition or even death. The authority therefore recommends that patients and healthcare providers use standard treatment guidelines and protocols approved by Ministry of Health and Child Care as guided by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” added the medicines authority.

This comes as Zimbabweans have been purchasing fake Covid-19 negative certificates in order to be allowed entry into South Africa.

Government Covid-19 Taskforce has expressed concern over the issue and warned that those caught will face the full wrath of the law.

The Beitbridge border with South Africa has been congested since the start of the month with thousands of Zimbabweans seeking to return to the neighbouring country after the festive season holidays and a majority of them were reportedly denied entry as they carried fake test certificates.

Many resorted to illegally entering the neighbouring country.

However, normalcy has returned in Beitbridge as both human and vehicular traffic and queues have cleared.

Zimbabwe has been witnessing a surge in cases lately, with neighbouring South Africa facing mutation of the virus.

Few vaccines such as Pfizer-BioNtECH, Moderna, Gamaleya have been approved and being rolled out in some countries especially in Europe.