Drug authority bans local 'Netragen'

The food and drugs watchdog (TFDA)

The food and drugs watchdog (TFDA) in the Lake Zone has banned the manufacturing, distribution and advertisement of a traditional medicine selling as “Netragen” which is claimed to cure peptic ulcers.
The move comes as TFDA, the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and other relevant government instruments tighten controls on manufacturing and distribution of substandard and unauthorized drugs in the domestic market.
Netragen is manufactured by Herboworkx, a Mwanza based firm, operated by a herbalist known simply as Mwita Marwa. Production of the drug is conducted at the company’s workshop located at Ilemela, and then distributed to various outlets operated by Herboworkx.
Speaking after a surprise inspection at the company’s production sites and clinics on Friday, TFDA Lake Zone inspector Aggrey Muhabuki told a handful of reporters that there is gross violation of laws and regulations governing the drug sector on the part of Herboworkx.
The entire chain of production, distribution and advertisement of Netragen and other traditional drugs of Herboworkx do not meet requirements as provided for in the Traditional Medicine Act and TFDA laws.
TFDA’s scrutiny has revealed that Herboworkx has no licenses and permits (allowing it to provide services) from authorities governing the drug sector—either TFDA or the Traditional Medicine Council.
Secondly, the company had been advertizing its products in the media, something which the zonal inspector said was wrong and contrary to the law governing traditional medicine, which allow the traditional doctor to personally administer concoctions to his/her patients, and not open distribution branches.
Even the production of Herboworx drugs were done in environment which does not meet drug standards and safety.
“The production site is not clean, packaging and labeling of their products do not meet the set quality and standards requirements,” he declared.
Earlier, Herboworx owner Mwita Marwa said that Netragen drug was approved by the Government Chemist and that he had permits from the Traditional Medicine Unit of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare at Mwanza, claims which TFDA inspectors said were not true and that he had no permits and licenses for the services.
“Because of these shortfalls, from today (Friday), the authority bans production, distribution and advertisements of Herboworx products, until the company complies with laid down procedures, rules, laws and regulations governing the drugs sector,” the inspector announced.
The authority also issued a stiff warning to traditional doctors to abide by the laws and regulations, failure of which stringent measures would be taken against them.
Meanwhile, the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) has begun a massive operation to curb fake drugs and cosmetics which the authority believes to be harmful.
The operation, according to TFDA Zonal manager Moses Mbamba, would also track down local manufacturers of the sub standard and unlicensed drugs and food products.
“Targeted in this operation include locally-made drugs and food which have not been certified, while foreign ones include cosmetics, animal and human medical drugs,” the manager elaborated.