The authority says it has noted with increasing concern, the number of unapproved advertisements appearing in the local media with respect to complimentary medicine. This treatment is, in some cases, being offered as alternative therapy to conventional medicine.
The authority says the "illegal" ads are misleading and promise such things as miraculous or immediate healing and a cure of chronic conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and HIV and AIDS.
They are also said to treat many diseases at once and financial rewards for using the products are promised to desperate patients.
"The MCAZ is warning the public against such unapproved and illegal advertisements. These ads are posing a serious health risk to the public who have unwittingly used them in place of prescribed conventional medicines," an MCAZ representative said.
MCAZ said that in some cases patients had been advised to stop taking vital medicine such as anti-retrovirals.
"With time, their condition deteriorates and resistance to the ARVs may develop, resulting in new, more expensive combination treatment being needed," said the representative. "The MCAZ has not approved any advertisements for complimentary medicines.We are therefore advising the general public to be wary of such advertisements and desist from using them as part of their decision making process with respect to health issues.”
MCAZ has also advised advertisers to consult the guidelines on their website:(www.mcaz.co.zw).
Post published in: News