ActionAid Zambia has called on relevant law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate and prosecute those involved in the imported fake coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.
Nalucha Ziba, ActionAid Zambia Country Director noted with concern revelations by the Zambia Medicine Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) on the imported fake COVID-19 vaccines by Chrismar Earthmoving Equipment which were scheduled for supply to the Ministry of Health.
Ms. Ziba said in a statement yesterday the act was a violation of the law and deprivation of citizens right to health and life.
“We call for urgent action on this matter because of its threat to the health and life of the Zambian citizens. The illegal importation of Fake COVID 19 vaccines is a violation of the right to life of citizens as well as the right to health,” she said.
Ms. Ziba said she was appalled that the entity that illegally imported the fake vaccines, was not a registered pharmaceutical company and has no license in dealing in the supply of medicines.
She said the mere importation of these substances was also a violation of the law as stated in Section 59 of the same Act which prohibits anyone from importing or distributing illegal drugs and that the law further provided for the prosecution of any person that contravened this section of the law.
Ms. Ziba said the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) expressly recognizes the right to health as a Human Right which includes adequate access to health facilities and quality medicines thus the importation of fake vaccines is a gross violation of this right.
She further called on the Ministry of Health to strengthen its mechanisms on the importation of drugs in the country.
