In an on-going operation meant to tackle illegal products in the market, Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BOMRA) has charged nine businesses operators in Kasane-Kazungula for various offences.
As of the 11th December 2024, the nine people/businesses charged by the authority included six Batswana, one Chinese and two Zambians. The operation which was in two folds focused on street vendors, Chinese shops while the other was carried out in Kazungula.
The five-day long operation which was carried out in collaboration with BURS, Botswana Police, Port Health, and Ministry of Agriculture resulted in the identification and removal of counterfeit medicines, supplements, and medical devices that could pose serious risks to consumers.
In an interview, BOMRA Communications Specialist Mbaakanyi Macheke said that they are committed to ensuring that the public has access to safe, effective, and high-quality health products. He stated that the operation seeks to ensure that all stakeholders, manufacturers, distributors, and consumers adhere to the guidelines set by the authority regarding the sale of counterfeit or substandard products.
“This comprehensive operation focuses on detecting and seizing products that are fraudulently labelled and manufactured without adherence to health and safety standards. The falsified products are found to contain dangerous or ineffective ingredients. These are distributed through various retail channels, including smuggling and unregulated businesses,’’ he said.
In removing these products from the market, he said the authority has taken swift action to trace the origins of the counterfeit goods and identify those responsible for their production and distribution. He noted that enforcement measures including penalties and potential legal actions are being pursued against the perpetrators.
Macheke has since urged consumers to be vigilant when purchasing health-related products, especially those from unverified sources. He indicated that common signs of counterfeit products include packaging that appears unusual or tampered with, missing or unclear labelling, and products that are offered at unusually low prices. Mbaakanyi has also encouraged consumers to purchase health products only from trusted sources such as licensed pharmacies and authorised retailers.
“As part of on-going efforts, the authority is also planning to intensify market surveillance, improve public awareness campaigns, and collaborate with other law agencies to prevent the entry of counterfeit products into the market,” he said.
