By 
Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) Director General, John Kachimba, has revealed that medicines labelled “For Government of the Republic of Zambia Not for Sale” have been discovered in neighbouring countries, pointing to possible diversion at or before the manufacturing stage.
To curb this concerning trend, Kachimba disclosed that ZAMMSA was engaging pharmaceutical manufacturers to implement tighter controls and tracking systems at the production level.
He made the remarks on Monday during a strategic engagement meeting with the United Party for National Development (UPND) Health Committee, led by Chairperson Bob Sakahilu.
The meeting, held at ZAMMSA headquarters, was convened to review challenges and ongoing efforts within the national medical supply chain.
In his briefing, Kachimba highlighted operational gaps affecting the agency’s capacity, notably outdated and non-compliant storage facilities that fall short of ZAMRA standards.
Read more: ZAMMSA claims K155 million worth of malaria test kits procured
He emphasized the urgent need to modernize storage hubs to protect medicine quality and enhance security.
“Efficient supply of medicines hinges on modern infrastructure and a robust logistics network,” he said.
“We also need a reliable fleet of trucks and trained drivers to guarantee timely and safe delivery of essential medicines across the country,” he added.
Kachimba further underscored the importance of consistent, predictable funding to enable ZAMMSA to plan and operate effectively without service disruptions.
Addressing persistent cases of medicine pilferage, he attributed the problem to structural weaknesses within the global supply chain.
In response, UPND Health Chairperson Sakahilu commended the agency’s leadership for its transparency and commitment to reforms.
He acknowledged ZAMMSA’s crucial role in the country’s healthcare delivery system and pledged the ruling party’s continued support in resolving logistical, regulatory, and infrastructural challenges.
“We commend ZAMMSA for the progress made, particularly in raising medicine stock levels from 40 percent to around 70 percent under the New Dawn Administration,” Sakahilu said.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments