A local herbal medicine company, Laxen Herbal Solutions, accused of selling unregistered complementary medicines, has been acquitted of all charges.
The company, which specialises in traditional medicines, had faced allegations of violating Sections 18(1) and 18(3) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act (MASCA), which regulates complementary medicines in Zimbabwe.
The State alleged that although the company’s products were traditional in nature, they were packaged to resemble pharmaceutical-grade complementary medicines, such as powders and capsules.
However, Bulawayo magistrate Eva Matura ruled that the evidence presented did not support the allegations. “The definition of complementary medicines refers to products wholly manufactured and fully packaged outside the country, then imported for redistribution,” she explained.
Magistrate Matura noted that online sources, including Google, define complementary medicines as treatments used alongside traditional Western medicine, such as massage, meditation, tai chi, reiki, and dietary supplements.
During the trial, State witnesses testified that when they visited Laxen Herbal Solutions’ premises, they found individuals repackaging products into powder and capsule formats for sale.
“The key question was whether the medicines were complementary or traditional,” Matura said. “The arresting witness confirmed that all the company’s licenses complied fully with the provisions of the law governing their operations. The accused persons clarified that their medicines are wholly manufactured and packaged locally, in accordance with the Traditional Medicines Act.”
Magistrate Matura concluded that no evidence was proving the products were imported or unregistered complementary medicines. She noted that the evidence showed the products were traditional, locally manufactured medicines. The accused were acquitted.
A witness had argued that traditional medicines should be sold in raw form and packaged according to traditional practices. However, Magistrate Matura dismissed this argument, citing the company’s legal compliance.
Court documents revealed that detectives from CID Drugs and Narcotics received a tip-off on August 22, 2024, alleging Laxen Herbal Solutions was selling unregistered complementary medicines. A subsequent raid uncovered products valued at US$5,035, which were seized as evidence. Inspectors from the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) later joined the investigation, but the court found no grounds for prosecution.
