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Foreign drug companies demand “advance payment” for medicines

Zimbabwean radio, monitored by the BBC, reported that foreign pharmaceutical companies are demanding advance foreign currency payments before supplying local firms with essential drugs. The radio on Wednesday quoted local companies as saying that they could not buy on credit and that the situation was causing hardship for an industry struggling to source foreign currency. Some retail pharmacy owners said they were now buying drugs from individuals who import drugs from South Africa and Botswana just to ensure that they have some essential drugs on their shelves.


This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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