30 Nov 2020

Chobe District councillors have appealed to the Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) to encourage testing of some indigenous medicines.

Commenting on a presentation by BoMRA officials to a full council meeting recently, Councillor Simasiku Matengu of Kazungula Newstance ward decried the influx of medicines in the market, which were also dispensed by unqualified people.

He also expressed a concern on some products used for cosmetics purposes to change people’s complexion or for skin bleaching, expressing fear that they could expose users to skin disorders/diseases.

Councillor Matengu noted that they were some indigenous medicines sold by individuals with no experience/knowledge on the quantities safe for human consumption and the effectiveness of such products.

Councillor Boitumelo Kanyetu of Plateau ward echoed same sentiments with Cllr Simasiku that the sale and importation of products such as diproson should be critically looked into. 

He said because Chobe was a border district, a lot of women easily imported such products from neighbouring countries and such products has seen many’s facial skins affected.

He also lamented the number of people in the district that have died as a result of using unregulated abortion pills imported from neighbouring countries. Councillor Kanyetu noted that while he appreciated that some indigenous products were very effective, BoMRA should consider testing the commonly known concoction sold along A1 Road near Dibete referred to as motsosa.

He raised fear that should BoMRA fail to test the concoction users may have their kidneys and other internal organs affected.

Cllr Tengenyane Tuelo of Pandamatenga underscored the need for people to understand the results of using unregulated medicines. He said as Botswana was transforming towards a knowledge based economy people needed to be encouraged to get relevant information on everything prior to usage.

He encouraged people especially women to learn to appreciate their natural complexion and to desist from trying to change it. Councillor Paul Chabaesele noted that while indigenous knowledge of medicines was important there was need for regulation of usage by BoMRA to avoid side effects.

Kgosi Rebecca of Pandamatenga lamented that due to lack of unemployment and lack of knowledge some people opted to sell medicines while they were unqualified and did not even know whether such medicines were harmful for consumption or not. She appealed to BoMRA officials to consider addressing Kgotla meetings to instill knowledge on the communities post COVID-19 era.

Chobe land board chairperson, Mr Johane Chenjekwa observed that advertising of unregulated medicines was a contributory factor to the usage of such. He enquired if legal statutes were in place to deal with advertising of unregulated products.

In response, BoMRA’s manager for complementary medicines and cosmetics, Mr Roy Chihaka noted that it was difficult to regulate medicines dispensed by herbalists as some of them felt information on the herbs was privileged information they got from their ancestors.

He, however indicated that BoMRA has a team that collects samples of the concoctions available in the market to test them. The authority’s public relations manager, Mr Israel Kgosidiile noted that BoMRA has no authority over some platforms advertising unregulated products.

He, however said the authority signed a MoA with BURS to ensure only registered products were allowed in the country. ends