Pinetown vendor defends street ‘pharmacy’
Mariannhill resident, Theo Ndlovu said she has been selling painkillers, among many other items, to feed her family.
AFTER receiving complaints about vendors selling tablets in Pinetown, the Highway Mail went to investigate.
A concerned healthcare practitioner said it worries her that ‘unqualified people’ are selling tablets on the side of the road.
“The people are selling various tablets which are not labelled, there are no instructions or cautions, it is just against the law,” said the registered nurse.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Pinetown vendors given hope after devastating fireÂ
Visiting the vendors in Crompton Street, 58-year-old Theo Ndlovu was more than willing to share her side of the story.
“I am not doing anything illegal, I am making money so that I can feed my family. I have no one to support me financially, my husband passed away a very long time ago. I have buried most of my children and I am left with my grandchildren who I have to make sure have something to eat daily and go to school.”
Ndlovu is well known among the people and she is greeted by everyone with a smile. When the Highway Mail approached her, she removed all the items that were on her chair next to her and offered a seat.
“I would really like to know what the problem is as I have been selling tablets here for years, mostly painkillers. No one has ever complained. I am not the only one that sells them, there are two other vendors. We sit here on grant payout days and many people buy from us.”
Ndlovu said she buys the pills at a pharmacy in a container and put them in small packets and sells them for R10.
“They have not expired,” said Ndlovu showing one of the containers.
“If what I am doing is so wrong, can someone please find me a job or a build me a pharmacy where I can sell these tablets?”
She said she does not only sell pills but also has other stuff in her stall.
“I sell spices, soaps and even walking sticks. I love my job and the little money I make here puts food on the table and keeps the house warm. I am able to pay for my electricity and water bill.
“I am not ashamed, I make an honest living, or should an old lady like me be forced to go out and steal?” asked Ndlovu.
One of Ndlovu’s regular customer said she buys the pills all the time and has never experienced any problems.
“Besides, the vendors that sells us items during grant payouts makes it easier as we get what we need from them and do not have to go different store. We buy what we need and head straight to our homes.”
KZN Department of Health spokesperson, Noluthando Nkosi, said the selling of medicine by any unauthorised individual on the streets is not allowed.
“It puts the public in danger. This is under the jurisdiction of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).”
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
