The government has directed pharmacies to stop demanding foreign currency from patients for drugs which are now available locally through National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe (NatPharm). Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr John Mangwiro said that there is no reason why pharmacies should demand foreign currency because they are buying the medicines locally from NatPharm. In an interview at the close of the 67th East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA), Dr Mangwiro said
Drugs are still a problem but the situation is improving because we have moved to capacitate NatPharm to sell to private pharmacies and also supply Government health facilities with drugs… This will allow patients to get drugs at a much cheaper price and there is no need for pharmacies to demand foreign currency because they are using Real Time Gross Settlement or swipe to pay for the drugs at NatPharm. We have said NatPharm should import and distribute.
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