Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
ZIMBABWE’S medicines regulatory system is undergoing a major international assessment this week as the World Health Organization conducts a formal benchmarking mission aimed at evaluating the country’s oversight of medical products.
The assessment, running from 27 April to 1 May, is being coordinated by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) as part of efforts to align Zimbabwe’s regulatory framework with global standards for the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines.
The re-benchmarking exercise is a significant step in Zimbabwe’s quest to attain Maturity Level 4 under the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool, the highest classification for national medicines regulatory systems.
Maturity Level 4 denotes a regulatory authority that is stable, well-functioning and committed to continuous improvement. If successful, Zimbabwe would become the first country in Africa to achieve this status.
During the five-day mission, WHO experts will undertake a comprehensive review involving plenary sessions, technical interviews and field visits.
The programme will also include a vigilance site inspection to assess the country’s capacity to monitor, detect and respond to medicine safety issues.
The assessment is expected to provide an independent evaluation of Zimbabwe’s regulatory performance while identifying areas for further strengthening.
Achieving Maturity Level 4 would significantly enhance Zimbabwe’s standing in global health regulation, boosting confidence in locally regulated medical products and potentially positioning the country as a continental leader in pharmaceutical oversight.
