Zinatha to open pharmacies

Zimbabweans will now be able to access herbal remedies supplied by accredited practitioners from pharmacies to be set up by the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (Zinatha) countrywide.

Traditional medicines are back on demand in Zimbabwe with more people resorting to herbs.

Some have attributed the development to the high cost of the conventional medication while others say traditional medicine has lesser side effects.

Zinatha president George Kandiero says to avoid the scenario where individuals sell various concoctions on the streets, there is need to have centres where Zimbabweans can access herbal remedies safely.

"We have seen an influx of individuals selling various concoctions on the streets and most of the people doing this are not our members. We felt that there was need to set up the pharmacies which we feel will inspire confidence in the traditional medicines and also assist those who may need medical attention," said Kandiero.

Kandiero says whilst many countries such as China have embraced traditional medicines and are exporting them, most Zimbabweans still treat their own medicine with suspicion.

Research has shown that traditional medicines in many instances provide the foundations of most modern drugs.