The Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) has confiscated and overseen the destruction of 2.8 tonnes of illegal and unauthorised medicinal products valued at over P500,000.
The coordinated enforcement and market surveillance operations took place between 23 and 30 October 2026 at Martin’s Drift Border Gate, Palapye, Mamuno Border Gate, Kasane, Kazungula and Pandamatenga. The multi-agency effort involved Port Health, Environmental Health, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) and the Botswana Police Service.
The operations targeted trading facilities, street vendors and vehicles including trucks, public and private transport, to detect the illegal movement and sale of medicinal products. Products found to be illegal or unauthorised were confiscated and consolidated for destruction, together with products previously intercepted by partner agencies. BoMRA oversaw their handling and disposal to ensure that none could re-enter the medicines supply chain.
More than 20,000 units destroyed included prescription-only medicines, skin-lightening creams, tablets, soaps, oils and codeine-containing cough syrups.
The authority urges the public to purchase medicinal products only from licensed and authorised facilities; avoid purchasing medicines from street vendors, informal markets and unverified online sellers; never use prescription-only medicines, including codeine-containing cough syrups, without a valid prescription; consult a healthcare professional or veterinarian before using medicinal products; and report suspected illegal medicinal products to BoMRA or the nearest police station.
Source: Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA), public statement, 5 November 2026: https://www.bomra.co.bw/bomra-and-partner-agencies-destroy-2-8-tonnes-of-illegal-and-unauthorised-medicinal-products-worth-over-p500000/
