Disposal of Unfit Medical Devices, Invitro Diagnostics & Laboratory Equipment

Disposal of Unfit Medical Devices, Invitro Diagnostics & Laboratory Equipment

Disposal of unfit medicines is mandated in the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Act, Cap 219. Regulation 59 prohibits any person to dispose unfit medicines until the Authority issues an approval to proceed with the disposal procedure

Who can initiate disposal?
  • TMDA;
  • Regional, District and hospital pharmacist;
  • Owner or in-charge of facility or premises;
  • Superintendent or an Inspector
Disposal Fee

If initiated by TMDA, the owner pays 25% of the cost of medical devices and diagnostics as per Fees & Charges Regulations

If voluntary, no fees are paid to TMDA. Owner covers the cost of disposal facility, supervising staff and NEMC costs

Disposal Process
  • Verification of consignment by TMDA inspectors;
  • NEMC approved & proposes the disposal process
  • TMDA inspectors, Health Officers, Police officers & NEMC inspector supervise the process
  • TMDA issues a disposal certificate upon completion of the process
How to apply

Apply online through Trader Portal & upload the list of devices to dispose of.

The list should state the following:

  1. Trade name of the product
  2. Common name of the product
  3. Packaging material
  4. Quantity of the product to be disposed
  5. Name of the Manufacturer
  6. Lot/ Batch number/product code of the product
  7. Current valid market value of each product to be disposed

For more details on disposal, read the Guidelines for Recall, Handling and Disposal of Unfit Medicines