THE Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has taken action to recall metformin tablets, a diabetes medication, after tests revealed non-compliance.

The Authority has since written to the director of Yash Pharmaceuticals Limited following the development.

In a letter written to the pharmaceutical company, the Authority has directed it to recall metformin tablets 500 milligrams batch number KBTO18 manufactured by Bliss GVS Pharma PVT limited of India.

“Following routine post marketing surveillance of medicines by the Authority, the above-mentioned product manufactured by Bliss GVS Pharma Limited, India was analysed at the National Drug Quality Control Laboratory.The product was found non-compliant with respect to Assay test,” reads the letter in parts.

The Authority said the pharmaceutical company should initiate a recall within 14 days of the receipt of the letter.

ZMRA further advised that the company is required to submit a detailed report of the recall process which should include all the relevant information.

(Mwebantu, Friday, 8th December, 2023)

FOLLOWING the recent poor Airtel service experienced, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has directed the company to compensate it’s subscribers within five days.

The Authority has also directed the network provider to immediately engage the public regarding the recent network outages and provide assurance of their resolution.

In a statement, ZICTA Manager Corporate Communications Hanford Chaaba said the Authority is closely monitoring the service provider.

He said ZICTA is deeply concerned with the recent intermittent network and service outages on Airtel network.

“To this effect, the Authority has directed Airtel Networks Zambia Plc to compensate all subscribers in line with the approved compensation policy within five days from today December 8, 2023. The Authority has also directed the network provider to, using all available platforms, immediately engage the public regarding the recent network outages and provide assurance of their resolution,” he said.

Mr Chaaba said the network provider has further been directed to urgently put in place measures that will ensure that such outages are averted, and submit to the Authority a long- term plan to improve network resilience.

He added that the Authority will actively monitor network performances of all services providers to ensure that the Quality of Service (QoS) guidelines are strictly adhered to.

“We encourage members of the public to continue reporting any issues related to unavailability and quality of network or service,” he said.

(Mwebantu, Friday, 8th December, 2023)

As the year draws to a close the Trade Kings Foundation not only looks at the year that was, but also looks to the future by donating over two million Kwacha, in the form of seed and fertilizers to 500 local farmers from the Nampundwe and Chaminuka communities.

The Trade Kings Foundation recognises the crucial role that small-scale farmers play in Zambia’s agricultural sector. In strengthening their capacity, one significantly contributes to food security in and around these communities. With this in mind, the Trade Kings Foundation continuously strives to support the sector, whether in the form of building structures, laying irrigation for water reticulation, drilling of boreholes and now – the donation of seeds and fertilizers.

As part of the donation, the farmers will attend several workshops to upskill them on topics such as soil health, crop rotation, water management, and pest and disease. The program will also focus on crop ustilisation: how to sell, give back to the local community and plan for the next crop.

During the handover of the donation, Trade Kings Group’s Public Relations Manager, Bridget Kambobe, said, “Small-scale and family farmers play a major role in food production of Zambia. Faced with numerous challenges that include everchanging weather patterns, competition from large industrial farms and a lack of access to reliable, up-to-date information and farming inputs, the drive to support local farmers forms part of the Trade Kings Foundation’s ethos of “Improving Lives” and in so doing we assist in ensuring much-needed food security.”

She concluded, “Our role as Trade Kings Group and Trade Kings Foundation is not only to serve our customers, but to instill hope during the economically uncertain times that we find ourselves in.”