Sumbawanga — OFFICIALS from the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) in collaboration with Sumbawanga municipal authorities have impounded different drugs with government tags being sold in private pharmacies and health facilities.

The drugs have been seized following an ongoing inspection by officials from TFDA and the municipality which started three days ago. TFDA Inspector for Southern Highlands Zone, Mr Paul Sonda, said that the inspection in private facilities has revealed that most of the outlets have been illegally selling drugs distributed by the Medical Stores Department (MSD).

Mr Sonda named some of the pharmacies caught with drugs bearing government tags as Primat Afya Yako located at Bangwe area in the municipality which is owned by an employee of Rukwa Regional Hospital in Sumbawanga town. He said that the pharmacy had the most drugs from MSD against the law.

Ms Fortunata Kumbakumba, a pharmacist, said that municipal authorities will meet with all the suspects with the aim of establishing where and how they get the drugs in order to find a lasting solution to the problem. She further noted that after the ongoing exercise, they will launch an in-depth investigation into the matter and take legal action against all those responsible.