Managing the Harare CBD Informal Pharmaceutical Market in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to explore the factors that promote the informal pharmaceutical market in Zimbabwe in terms of sources, distribution, and impact on public health, providing valuable insights that can help stakeholders and policymakers proffer policy interventions that foster health delivery and public health outcomes. The informal pharmaceutical market in Zimbabwe has gained prominence in recent years, particularly in urban centres like Harare's Central Business District (CBD). This market often operates outside the regulatory framework, leading to concerns about the quality and safety of pharmaceutical products. The rise in unregulated access to prescription drugs has been linked to documented cases of anti-microbial resistance within the Zimbabwean population. This trend has also driven legitimate pharmaceutical businesses out of the market and exposing the public to potentially unsafe medications sold on the streets. The study adopted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. The population for the study was 100 participants which comprised consumers of informal pharmaceuticals, informal medicine vendors, regulatory authorities, and registered distributors. Questionnaires and interviews were used as the main data collection tools. Quantitative data from the study was presented mainly through graphs and tables and analysed using descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages. Data obtained through interviews was presented and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings from the study conclude that most of the informal vendors get their medicines from Indians in Harare town, Mbare Musika and from countries like South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique. Based on the research findings, it can further be concluded that informal medicine vendors sell directly to consumers in sachets at bus ranks, car boots and corner positions and through runners on commission basis. Furthermore, the products being sold in Harare seem to have no negative effects as sellers and customers believe that the drugs are good to customers unless if abused. However, the most needed interventions are public awareness campaigns, educating people on the dangers of taking illicit drugs, tightening of screening at porous border posts and national health insurance introduction as a national policy.