MCAZ Issues Urgent Warning on Falsified Cloxacillin Capsules in Circulation

HOW TO DETECT:

FALSIFIED CLOXACILLIN	REGISTERED CLOXACILLIN
The falsified Cloxacillin has sharp corners and the colour on the labels is brown.	Varichem label has rounded corners and the colour on the labels is orange.
The capsules are unmarked.	The capsules are marked “V-CLOX 250”
The containers contain a cotton wool plug to maximise headspace.	The containers are sealed with aluminum foil.

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) has issued an urgent warning to the public, healthcare professionals, wholesalers, pharmacies, and health institutions regarding the illegal circulation of falsified Cloxacillin 250mg capsules on the market. The alert follows the identification of fake medical products that closely imitate the registered antibiotic manufactured by Varichem Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd, a reputable local drug producer.

In its statement, MCAZ named Gartats Investments as one of the entities associated with the distribution of the counterfeit product. The falsified capsules exhibit several discrepancies when compared to the genuine Varichem-manufactured version. These differences are crucial for detection and include notable variations in labeling, capsule markings, and packaging.

Key Differences Between Genuine and Falsified Cloxacillin

• Label Appearance: The counterfeit capsules feature sharp-cornered, brown labels, in contrast to the genuine product which carries rounded, orange-coloured labels.

• Capsule Markings: The falsified versions are unmarked, while authentic Cloxacillin capsules are clearly inscribed with “V-CLOX 250.”

• Packaging Seal: The genuine Varichem product includes aluminium foil sealing for safety, a feature absent in the falsified version.
  

Public Health Risk and Immediate Action Required

MCAZ warned that the distribution and use of falsified antibiotics pose significant threats to public health. These include treatment failure in managing bacterial infections, exposure to harmful substances, and an increased risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which could worsen existing health crises. To mitigate the threat, MCAZ is calling on all licensed wholesalers, pharmacies, public and private clinics, and hospitals to immediately quarantine any suspected falsified Cloxacillin 250mg capsules. These quarantined units must be submitted to the Authority by 1 August 2025 for proper disposal and further investigation.

Ongoing Investigations and Reporting Mechanism

The authority emphasized that it is working closely with law enforcement agencies and supply chain partners to trace and eliminate counterfeit medicines across Zimbabwe. MCAZ further encourages all stakeholders and members of the public to report any suspicious pharmaceutical products or supply chain activity directly to its offices for verification and action.

For more information or to report falsified drugs, stakeholders are urged to contact MCAZ through their official communication channels.