Covid-19 disrupts Zim’s medicines supply chain

Mirirai Nsingo

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted Zimbabwe’s medicines’ supply chain, resulting in the shortage of some critical medicines.

Speaking during an official handover of medicine delivery trucks procured by NatPharm in Harare on Thursday, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr John Mangwiro said such disruptions can only be arrested through strengthening local drug manufacturing.

“This pandemic, which has changed everyday life has also impacted negatively on the supply chain of medicines. The times we are in are truly unprecedented.

“Such disruptions caused by global lockdown show the need for us as a county to strengthen the local pharmaceutical companies so that we can manufacture most of the drugs locally,” Dr Mangwiro said.

At the moment, Zimbabwe imports most of its medicines and the pandemic has resulted in disruptions due to lockdowns and suspension of air travel.

“Never before have we been faced with such a calamitous global event such as we are in now. I encourage all Zimbabweans to continue observing the recommended preventive measures, which include social distancing, hand washing with soap and water or with an alcohol based hand sanitizer and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette.”

To date, 6 292 people have been infected with Covid-19 in the country and 5 010 have recovered while 189 have died so far.