Duxstrand Trading in Court Over Unregistered Medic...

Duxstrand Trading in Court Over Unregistered Medicines

Munyaradzi Mashiri
Court Correspondent

Duxstrand Trading Private Limited has been taken to court on charges of possessing unregistered medicines.

The company, represented by Ayman Addallah and Issa Maruva ,42, appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court, facing charges under the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act. They are set to return to court on March 11 for routine remand.

According to the State, in September 2024, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission received a tip-off that Duxstrand Trading was storing and selling products containing hydroquinone, a prohibited substance, at its warehouse in New Adbernie, Harare.

Following the tip-off, a team conducted a search at the company's warehouse in the presence of the accused. Authorities reportedly recovered a substantial quantity of skin-lightening products, including Rich & Pure Double Active Cream, Effimax 5 Clarifying Lotion Q10, and other related products. All the confiscated items were found to contain 2% hydroquinone.

According to the Ninth Schedule of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act, products containing hydroquinone are classified as prescription medicines.

Investigations revealed that the confiscated items were unregistered and that neither Duxstrand Trading nor the accused individuals held a valid license to possess or sell them.

As a result, they are not legally authorized to be in possession of these products under Section 73(2) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control General Regulations.

The case continues on March 11.