Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) has closed down 32 healthcare facilities in Lusaka for non compliance and breaching of the national healthcare standards.
The 32 health care facilities are said to have been stocking and dispensing expired drugs and medical supplies.
Announcing the closure during a media briefing in Lusaka HPCZ public relations officer Chinyota Msimuko said the council has observed with great concern this growing trend.
Mr. Msimuko states that the HPCZ will not allow the situation where healthcare facilities stock and dispense expired drugs and medical supplies, to persist as it compromises patients’ safety.
He says it is against this background that the HPCZ recently conducted compliance monitoring inspections in 120 health facilities in Lusaka Province from December 3rd to December 30th 2018.
Mr. Msimuko says the 32 closed down healthcare facilities will thus be dealt with in accordance with the Law while penalties will be extended to individual pharmacists and doctors in charge of the facilities.