8% of African including Malawians use traditional medicines that has the potential of putting their lives at risk

The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) says misinformation on traditional and complimentary medicines has the potential to put many lives of Malawians at risk.

The caution has been issued as the World Health Organization reports that at least eighty percent of Africans including Malawians use traditional medicine.

Board Member for Authority Dr John Mponda, said it is high time that herbal medicine messages that are being aired on radio and televisions should carry the truth in an effort to protect Malawians from using products that are not meeting the expectations of the consumers.

Dr Mponda said the authority has a mandate to regulate herbal medicines while putting in place guidelines that dealers should follow.

He was speaking at a joint orientation meeting on advertisement and promotion of traditional and Complementary meeting in Lilongwe.

Meanwhile, Daud Suleman Director General of Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority has called on the media to advertise and promote traditional and complementary medicines in a factual way so that more lives should be protected.