Firm clears the air over TFDA letter on fake ARVs
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Tuesday, 23 October 2012 22:51
digg_url = ' + location.href + '; digg_title = 'Firm clears the air over TFDA letter on fake ARVs'; digg_bodytext = ''; digg_bgcolor = '#ffffff'; digg_window = 'new'; By Fariji MsonsaThe Citizen ReporterDar es Salaam. The Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries (TPI) Limited has told The Citizen that it suspended manufacturing and distribution of all of its pharmaceutical products following an order from the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA), but refuted claims that it was ordered to shut down its plant.The firm had earlier denied reports that it had been ordered by the government to suspend production of its products to pave way for investigations over claims it was behind fake ARVs that were being distributed by the Medical Stores Department (MSD).
Speaking by phone, TPI chief executive officer Ramadhan Madabida said that so far his office had received two letters from TFDA and replied one of them yesterday in which the company explained why it should not be shut down.He said he was sure that his firm was innocent and hoped that TFDA would soon allow the drugmaker to resume production as well as avoid being shut down. He also added that he looked forward to unveiling a new industrial wing which he said would start operations in March, next year.“We got two letters from the TFDA, the first of which required us to suspend production of Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs. The second demanded that we suspend any kind of production and within 14 days give reasons as to why they should not shut down our company,” said Mr Madabida.“We have responded to their letter and sent it to them today (yesterday). Currently the factory is not in operation but we are not worried because we are sure of our innocence. We also look forward to launching a new plant by the end of this year,” he added.
However, confusion has engulfed the scandal with authorities being cagey in explaining questions surrounding the scam. For his part, the acting permanent secretary in the ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Donan Mmbando, told The Citizen that TFDA was the right authority charged with ensuring that regulations were followed. He also elaborated that the Authority was mandated to write to TPI and if possible close down the company. However, TFDA argued that the Health ministry was the responsible state department on the matter, adding that it (TFDA) had no authority of doing anything as the issue involved different institutions under the same docket. The Authority noted that since the ministry was above them all, the mandate to give directives rested with it. But the deputy minister for Health, Dr Seif Rashid, said his docket stepped in only when there were matters that required special handling. He said the Police Force was currently investigating the matter and once it completed its probe everything would be made public.He added that the intention was to identify the true manufacturer of the fake drugs and the distributor of those made in India before embarking on legal actions. “It is still difficult to address the issue in public because it may interfere with investigations currently underway. Even the whereabouts of other suspects are unknown.
Speaking by phone, TPI chief executive officer Ramadhan Madabida said that so far his office had received two letters from TFDA and replied one of them yesterday in which the company explained why it should not be shut down.He said he was sure that his firm was innocent and hoped that TFDA would soon allow the drugmaker to resume production as well as avoid being shut down. He also added that he looked forward to unveiling a new industrial wing which he said would start operations in March, next year.“We got two letters from the TFDA, the first of which required us to suspend production of Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs. The second demanded that we suspend any kind of production and within 14 days give reasons as to why they should not shut down our company,” said Mr Madabida.“We have responded to their letter and sent it to them today (yesterday). Currently the factory is not in operation but we are not worried because we are sure of our innocence. We also look forward to launching a new plant by the end of this year,” he added.
However, confusion has engulfed the scandal with authorities being cagey in explaining questions surrounding the scam. For his part, the acting permanent secretary in the ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Donan Mmbando, told The Citizen that TFDA was the right authority charged with ensuring that regulations were followed. He also elaborated that the Authority was mandated to write to TPI and if possible close down the company. However, TFDA argued that the Health ministry was the responsible state department on the matter, adding that it (TFDA) had no authority of doing anything as the issue involved different institutions under the same docket. The Authority noted that since the ministry was above them all, the mandate to give directives rested with it. But the deputy minister for Health, Dr Seif Rashid, said his docket stepped in only when there were matters that required special handling. He said the Police Force was currently investigating the matter and once it completed its probe everything would be made public.He added that the intention was to identify the true manufacturer of the fake drugs and the distributor of those made in India before embarking on legal actions. “It is still difficult to address the issue in public because it may interfere with investigations currently underway. Even the whereabouts of other suspects are unknown.
In2EastAfrica
