The Sunday News
Munyaradzi Musiiwa
DRUGS which cure sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have found their way onto the streets of Kwekwe, a situation which may cause drug resistance of some infections.
Kwekwe Bus Terminus has become a haven of such drugs which should ideally be sold through pharmacies after the production of a prescription from a medical practitioner.
The provincial focal person for tuberculosis, HIV/Aids and STIs in the Midlands, Ms Gladys Takawira, said the drugs were being imported from neighbouring countries, mainly Zambia.
“In Kwekwe medicines like chlamydia and metronidazole are being sold on the open market. They also have medicines for urethral vaginal discharge, yet we are saying such drugs should not find their way onto the streets.
These medicines are not coming from our own pharmacies but they are from Zambia.
“As a result of this we might experience drug resistance for some STIs because those who are taking them may not have the full course because they will feel they have healed. Such people who access medication in these places do not adhere to medication,” she said.
Provincial medical director Dr Milton Chemhuru said environmental officers were investigating the reports.
“We have heard about those reports and our environmental officers are on the ground in Kwekwe to investigate,” he said.
The country has seen an influx of drugs which cannot be purchased over the counter on the informal market which include broncleer which is administered on patients with flu.
Broncleer, which has substantial alcohol content, is now being used by people to intoxicate themselves since it is fairly priced.
Already the country is grappling with drug resistance to tuberculosis and HIV which has forced the health authorities to put patients on second line treatment.
The province has seen a spike in STIs in the first quarter of this year with Shurugwi, Zvishavane and Gweru districts leading the pack in the eight districts.
In March, the number of urethral and vaginal discharge cases increased to 130 cases from 115 per 100 000 population.
