Huge indictment on govt, as U.S. cuts $50 million in medical aid to Zambia over alleged widespread theft of donated drugs

The United States government has announced a US$50 million (approximately K1.4 billion) cut in annual medical aid to Zambia, citing the Zambian government’s failure to curb widespread theft of life-saving drugs.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka on Thursday, US Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzales, said the decision followed more than a year of unheeded appeals for stronger action against large-scale pilfering of US-donated medicines.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the United States is cutting $50 million in annual aid provided to Zambia for medications and medical supplies,” Gonzales said.

“In the face of minimal responsive action by the government, the United States is taking necessary steps to safeguard and ensure accountability for American taxpayer funds.”

The US is among Zambia’s largest health donors, contributing an average of $600 million annually toward public health and development.

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Of this, roughly $128 million had gone toward procuring HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis medications and strengthening the medical supply chain.

While highlighting major achievements in the US-Zambia health partnership—including a 98 percent HIV viral suppression rate and a 75 percent drop in malaria and TB deaths—Gonzales said the ongoing theft crisis undermines these gains.

A US investigation since 2021 revealed that 95 percent of pharmacies selling US-donated medicines were dealing in stolen stock.

Nearly half of the thefts were traced directly to American contributions.

“In all ten provinces, nearly half of the pharmacies selling products the United States provides for free were selling stolen medicines,” Gonzales said.

Despite 33 high-level meetings with Zambian officials and a formal alert in April 2024, Gonzales said little progress has been made.

Investigations have focused on low-level actors, with only a handful of arrests.

The US is also yet to receive findings from a forensic audit into the Zambian Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).

Gonzales emphasized the aid cut was not part of broader US foreign aid reviews but a direct response to the unresolved theft scandal.

The reduction will be phased in, with supplies maintained until January 2026 to prevent stockouts.

“We remain steadfast in supporting Zambia and its people,” Gonzales said.

“But we will no longer underwrite the personal enrichment of the corrupt while patients go without — or are forced to purchase — life-saving medications that we have provided for free.”

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