Health authorities have stepped up efforts to prevent the misuse and diversion of addictive medicines, warning that poor storage and weak controls could expose communities to drug dependence.
The Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), in collaboration with the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) and the Medical Stores Department (MSD), has trained health workers in Bagamoyo and Chalinze on the proper handling, storage and distribution of medicines with addictive properties.
The training brought together medical officers in charge, pharmacists and nurses from health facilities in the two councils.
The focus was on medicines including Pethidine, Morphine, Diazepam, commonly known as Valium, and Tramadol, which are used for legitimate medical purposes but can also be misused.
Acting Bagamoyo District Medical Officer Dr Ubwe Yasin said the training was particularly important because the council has two facilities providing services to people affected by substance dependence.
“If these medicines are not properly stored and controlled, they can be diverted and used as intoxicating substances, posing a risk to the community,” he said.
DCEA representative pharmacist Upendo Chenya said authorities had recorded concerns over the improper use of some medicines, calling for tighter controls over their access and distribution.
She said the medicines should be dispensed only against valid prescriptions, while people experiencing drug dependence should be referred to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) centres for appropriate care.
The warning highlights a wider challenge facing the health system: medicines intended to treat patients can themselves become a source of dependence when diverted or used without medical supervision.
TMDA Eastern Zone Principal Medicines Inspector Dr Bahati Yakobo urged health workers to strengthen security measures and ensure that the medicines are stored and handled according to regulations.
She said proper controls were necessary to prevent the drugs from reaching unintended users.
Bagamoyo Hospital Medical Officer in Charge Dr Lyana Lymo said the facility would share the knowledge gained from the training with other health workers to improve compliance and strengthen safeguards.
Bagamoyo Municipal Council pharmacist Mohammed Said Rwaub said the training would help health workers better understand and comply with regulations governing controlled medicines.
He also pointed to the financial burden associated with treating people affected by substance dependence, saying prevention and proper control were important in reducing the problem.
MSD representative Suzana Majule said the department would continue educating health facilities on procedures for ordering, storing and distributing the medicines.
She said the distribution of such medicines must be accompanied by the required approval from TMDA.