Culture, Health & Society
Youths abusing the
Bron Cleer
cough syrup
Terence Zimwara growing number of youths in Harare’s high density suburbs are using Bron Cleer coughing syrup commonly known as “Bronco” as a cheaper intoxicant. They use it as a substitute for spirits and marijuana. Bron Cleer is a product manufactured by Adcock Ingram, South Africa. The product is not registered in Zimbabwe, and so is not allowed to be marketed in the country. If it were registered in Zimbabwe, it would be classified as a prescription medicine. It would only be available from pharmacies upon production of a prescription. However, it appears unscrupulous business people have been smuggling this drug into the country and subsequently selling it for US$3.50 per bottle. Since it is not registered in the country, it is illegal to market this drug and those caught peddling it risk arrest and prosecution. However, the drug, just like other illegal drugs, continues to be smuggled into the country and this contraband is available particularly in the poor suburbs of Harare. According to the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), Bron Cleer contains four active ingredients, which in combination work to alleviate coughing. “The normal dosage is one tablespoon (10ml) three to four times a day. One of the common side effects is drowsiness, which is why one is advised to be cautious when driving or operating machinery if taking the product. The product is also not
A
meant to be taken together with alcohol,” said Dr William Wekwete, Head-Evaluations and Registrations Division of MCAZ. “The problems associated with Bron Cleer come about because people who abuse the product do not take the recommended dosage. The product causes sedation at the recommended dosage. This effect is similar to what people experience with excessive consumption of alcohol. However, the danger is that in addition to the sedation, Bron Cleer can cause a drop in blood pressure and difficulty in breathing. This can be quite severe and explains some of the deaths caused by Bron Cleer. A person who takes Bron Cleer continuously is likely to get addicted to it. They also tend to want bigger doses to get the same effect, as their system becomes conditioned and accustomed to it,” said Dr Wekwete. A visit to the city’s high density suburbs like Mufakose, Glen View and Mbare bears testimony to this as the roads are virtually littered with empty bottles of this drug. Ignorant youths apparently consume this drug in the same way as they consume alcohol leaving them in a very intoxicated state. The youths abusing this drug are often unemployed and for them, it makes economic sense for them to imbibe this than to buy beer which would be more expensive and would also have to be consumed in larger quantities to achieve the same effect as that of a small Bron Cleer bottle. There is urgent need for public education about this drug as well as a greater zeal by authorities in dealing with the merchants of this syrup. TP February 2013
Page 58
The Parade - Zimbabwe’s Most Read Lifestyle Magazine