Drug regulation bill imperative for AIDS

ZAMBIA: Drug regulation bill imperative for AIDS

JOHANNESBURG, 2 Aug 2004 (PLUSNEWS) - The delay in a proposed bill to regulate drug use in Zambia was cause for concern for the country as it battles against HIV and AIDS, Health Permanent Secretary Simon Miti has warned.

He was reacting to calls by medical practitioners that the government withdraw the bill for redrafting, due to inconsistencies.

The permanent secretary stressed that such a bill could not be more timely and imperative, as the nation was at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

"Especially now with HIV/AIDS, where we are just consuming drugs and herbal remedies ... they may provide relief for now but we do not know the effects in future," a local newspaper, The Times of Zambia, quoted Miti as saying.

[ENDS]

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