Timeline: Celine Nyakutsikwa / HealthPlus Pharmacy Medication Error
April 3, 2025 – The Medication Error
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Collection on behalf: Celine Nyakutsikwa’s brother visits Healthplus Pharmacy (inside Spa supermarket, Greencroft) on her behalf to collect her monthly blood pressure medication.
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Wrong medication dispensed: Instead of the prescribed Losartan 50mg, the pharmacy dispenses Enalapril 20mg (the correct dosage should have been Enalapril 5mg).
April 3 – April 23, 2025 (Approx.) – Adverse Effects
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Incorrect medication taken: Celine takes the incorrect medication for 20 days.
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Adverse effects: She experiences adverse effects, particularly at night (dizziness), and stops taking the medication.
Late April / Early May 2025 – Initial Actions
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Return and confrontation: Celine returns the remaining 10 tablets to the pharmacy and confronts the dispensing staff, who acknowledge the mistake.
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Medical consultation: She consults a doctor who recommends comprehensive tests at Avondale for a medical report.
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Further evaluation: She subsequently visits another doctor in Helensview for further evaluation.
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Specialist diagnosis: Celine requests an urgent expert diagnosis by a specialist.
May 2, 2025 – Pharmacy’s Initial Response
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Written response: Healthplus Pharmacy Management sends a written response to Celine’s incident report.
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Apology and admission: They offer a sincere apology, acknowledge the error (Enalapril 20mg instead of 5mg), and confirm the staff member involved admitted the mistake.
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Corrective measures: They outline corrective measures: reinforcing dispensing protocols (mandatory double-checks), staff re-training, and reviewing verification systems.
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Documentation requested: They request supporting documentation for compensation review (medical records, out-of-pocket expenses, and a summary of impact on daily life).
October 14, 2025 – Legal Representation Begins
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Round-table requested: Mupindu Legal Practitioners (on behalf of Celine) write to MawereSibanda Commercial Lawyers (on behalf of the pharmacy) requesting a round-table meeting. (Reference made in the Oct 17 letter.)
October 17, 2025 – Pharmacy’s Lawyers Seek Clarity
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Clarity sought: MawereSibanda responds, stating they cannot commit to a round-table meeting until they have clarity on the proposed agenda and possible settlement terms to ensure the meeting is productive.
October 22, 2025 – Celine’s Lawyers Respond
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Reply sent: Mupindu Legal Practitioners reply to the October 17 letter. (Reference made in the Oct 27 letter.)
October 27, 2025 – Pharmacy Requests Settlement Quantum
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Quantum required: MawereSibanda writes to Mupindu Legal Practitioners noting the contents of the October 22 letter.
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Client’s position: They state their client requires to know the “quantum of compensation” contemplated by Celine before attending any meeting.
November 5, 2025 – Compensation Proposal
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Proposal made: Mupindu Legal Practitioners propose a compensation amount of USD 10,000.00 to cover medical expenses, future care, pain and suffering, loss of income, and other losses.
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Negotiable: They note that the claim/proposal is negotiable.
November 19, 2025 – Formal Complaint to the Pharmacists Council
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Complaint lodged: Mupindu Legal Practitioners lodge a formal complaint against HealthPlus Pharmacy with the Pharmacists Council of Zimbabwe.
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Harm detailed: The complaint details severe ongoing harm (including an inability to walk unaided, and ongoing neurological and physical challenges), financial strain, and emotional distress.
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Non-payment and engagement: It notes that despite the pharmacy admitting negligence, no compensation has been paid, and the pharmacy has refused to meaningfully engage.
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Action requested: The letter requests that the Council investigate the pharmacy’s conduct and take appropriate disciplinary action.
November 26, 2025 – Compilation of Documents
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Documents compiled: Celine Nyakutsikwa compiles and forwards the original Incident Report and the Pharmacy’s May 2, 2025 response (timestamp on the document).
