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Kudzai Chikiwa, Chronicle Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Diabetes Association has said pharmacies should not demand payment in foreign currency for insulin, a diabetes drug, as the National Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm) is charging retailers in bond notes.

The development comes at a time Government has announced that it has availed US$3,3 million for drugs, US$1 million of which is going to retail pharmacies for importation of medicines with priority given to medicines for chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

A snap survey by The Chronicle in the Bulawayo Central Business District yesterday showed that most pharmacies are still pegging the drug in United States dollars.

Lantus insulin was pegged at US$33 at QV Pharmacy along Fife Street between 9th and 10th Avenue while Emergency Pharmacy along Robert Mugabe Way between 8th and 9th Avenue was demanding US$54 or $203 bond notes. Highfields Pharmacy also located along Robert Mugabe Way between 8th and 9th Avenues did not have the drug but insisted that they charge in US dollars.

Only Medchem Pharmacy located along Fife Street between 9th and 10th Avenue pegged the drug at $50 bond notes and was accepting bank transfers.

In an interview, ZDA Administrator Mr Simeioni Jamanda said insulin is available at Natpharm and pharmacies should go and purchase it there using any form of payment. “Natpharm is the sole supplier of insulin and is not demanding foreign currency as claimed by some pharmacies. Bond notes, Ecocash, Bank transfers and Medical Aid schemes are accepted so demanding US dollars from patients is not acceptable,” said Mr Jamanda.

“We urge all pharmacies to comply with this directive to ensure even distribution of this critical drug. Members of the public are urged to report all pharmacies that demand foreign currency.”

Mr Jamanda said the drug is now also available at Government hospitals.

“The shortage of insulin that recently hit the country has been addressed as Government hospitals received the drug and I have the papers with all these records,” he said.

ZDA distanced itself from a message circulating on social media which claims that the association is giving out free insulin. The message, which is circulating on social media, reads: “Those who need insulin and can’t afford you can go to Zimbabwe Diabetes Association. They make you a member and have free insulin (membership is $17 bond/Ecocash/swipe per annum). It’s (at) 10 Lawson Ave, Milton Park. It’s along the road going to Blakiston Primary School.”

In response, Mr Jamanda said: “Please be advised that the Zimbabwe Diabetes Association is not giving free insulin to members of the public. The message circulating on social media is not true. The only insulin for free is for youths under 25 under a programme called life of a child.”

“We believe that above 25 years, a person could have completed school and is able to supply themselves. Adults who want to be members pay $5 per annum not $17 mentioned in that message.”

Mr Jamanda said every member also gets free glucometers, a blood glucose monitoring device which is a home measurement system used to test the amount of sugar in the blood. — @tamary98