The public has been urged to avoid buying medication from street vendors, as it could put lives in danger.
This follows the arrest of a man at the Nyanga Junction Transportation Hub on Monday afternoon, who was found selling an assortment of medication out of boxes.
The Western Cape SAPS noted that members of Operation Prosper were conducting foot patrols when they noticed the suspect. SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel F.C. van Wyk, said the 38-year-old suspect was unable to explain where he obtained the medication from and was arrested for illegal sale of medication, in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965
“Upon closer inspection it was found that some of the medicine was past its expiration date, which in and of itself poses a huge health risk and can be fatal if consumed,” said van Wyk.
Based on images supplied by police, blood-pressure medicines were among the types of medication found in the suspect’s possession.
Similar to the SAPS, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) encouraged the public to get their necessary medication from approved healthcare centres or pharmacies to ensure they are safe.
DENOSA said it was appalled by the news but is even more concerned that people who struggle to get medication from authorised suppliers would instead opt for this route.
“The organisation is concerned that, while community members often struggle to get medication due to shortages of medication and overcrowding in healthcare centres, there is medication that is just sold on the streets,” read the organisation’s statement.
The organisation urged law enforcement agencies to get to the bottom of this problem, especially to find where the medication came from and whether it could be linked to a crime syndicate.
“With the high rate of crime in the townships, selling of medication by vendors on the streets could either be as a result of criminal activities or corruption where such medication could have been obtained either from the depots or healthcare centres.”
