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| Press Statements |
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| World Consumer Rights Day 2007 |
| 8th March 2007 |
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On the 15th of March, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe will join with other Consumer Organisations and the rest of the World in commemorating the World Consumer Rights Day. The Day is steeped in a rich tradition of advocacy and activism for the rights and freedoms of consumers throughout the country, in the region and in the rest of the world.
There have been cases where consumers’ rights are have been ignored especially by those who should be upholding them. Given the current economic hardships bedevilling the country, it has become almost acceptable to some business people ignore the rights of consumers. Perhaps it is because we as individual consumers have not sought a fairdeal on the marketplace or lack knowledge or appreciation of what our rights are and how we ought to ensure that they are observed, upheld and respected. Failure to assert our rights as consumers and to take action now will result in further suffering and total disregard for the rights of consumers by providers of goods and services.
For the World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2007, CCZ is calling on the government and relevant stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry and cross boarder trading to put an end to unscrupulous marketing practices by the pharmaceutical industry as well as curb the selling of counterfeit, expired and unregistered drugs. The day is especially poignant for Zimbabwe as the market has been flooded with counterfeit, unregistered and expired drugs which are being sold indiscriminately in public places such as Bottle Stores, Hair Saloons, and Beauty Parlours among others without any worry of the health hazards they pose to consumers. Many of these drugs have various side effects and expose consumers to various ailments and sicknesses. What is even more disconcerting is the fact that these practices continue despite measures that have been put in place by Government institutions and various health bodies such as the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.
WCRD 2007 is part of our long-term campaign to tackle Unethical Drug Promotion. The purpose of this global campaign is to:
• Hold industry accountable for compliance with global codes for ethical drug promotion
• Hold governments accountable for rigorous enforcement of regulations on drug promotion in order to uphold consumer rights to safety and information
• Improve consumer access to credible, reliable and transparent drug and health information.
CCZ will take to the streets in a march commemorating World Consumer Rights Day on the 15th of March. We encourage you to take time to support and participate in this event. Remember our strength lies in our numbers, and the time to act for the protection of our rights as consumers is now.
Various activities in the capital and in the regional offices have been lined up to commemorate this day and for more details on the activities and how you can participate please get contact the Head Office on 700500, 707065, 0912 772 270, 0912 870 184 or send us an email to: prdept@ccz.org.zw
In light of the commemoration of World Consumer Rights Day consumers are urged to always keep a watchful eye of people who deprive them of a fairdeal on the marketplace and they must report them. It is only through such action that they can get a fairdeal and that their rights can be upheld and honoured.
Consumers can report any abuse of their rights or get to learn more on their rights as consumers by contacting CCZ free of charge on the Consumer Hotline 0801 2222 280 or logging on to our website: www.ccz.org.zw
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