Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 16th June, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
In a bid to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency within Zambia’s public health system, the United Party for National Development (UPND) Health Committee, led by Chairperson Dr. Bob Sakahilu, held a strategic engagement with the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) to review ongoing efforts and challenges related to the national medical supply chain.
The meeting, held at ZAMMSA headquarters, provided a platform for dialogue between policymakers and supply chain managers, as the government intensifies efforts to stabilize medicine availability and address systemic inefficiencies.
ZAMMSA Director General, Dr. John Kachimba, gave a detailed briefing to the Committee, citing critical operational gaps affecting the agency’s delivery capacity. Chief among them were outdated and non-compliant storage facilities that fall short of Zambia Medicines and Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) standards. He emphasized the urgent need for redesigned storage hubs to safeguard medicine quality and security.
“Efficient supply of medicines hinges on modern infrastructure and a robust logistics network,” Dr. Kachimba stated. “We also require a sufficient fleet of trucks and trained drivers to ensure timely and safe delivery of essential medicines to all corners of the country.”
He further called for consistent and predictable funding streams to allow ZAMMSA to plan and operate effectively without disruption.
Addressing the recurrent issue of medicine pilferage, Dr. Kachimba pointed to structural weaknesses along the global supply chain. He revealed that some medicines marked “For Government of the Republic of Zambia Not for Sale” have been discovered in neighboring countries, indicating diversion at or before the manufacturing stage.
To curb this alarming trend, Dr. Kachimba disclosed that ZAMMSA is actively engaging pharmaceutical manufacturers to introduce tighter controls and tracking mechanisms at the production level.
In response, UPND Health Chairperson Dr. Sakahilu praised the agency’s leadership for its transparency and commitment to improvement. He acknowledged the critical role ZAMMSA plays in the healthcare system and committed the party’s continued support to resolve logistical, regulatory, and infrastructural challenges.
“We commend ZAMMSA for the progress made so far, particularly in improving medicine stock levels which have risen from 40% to approximately 70% under the New Dawn Administration,” Dr. Sakahilu stated. “We will take these insights back to the party and government structures to find practical solutions and ensure sustained improvements in the sector.”
The engagement marks a significant step in the UPND’s broader effort to strengthen public institutions through evidence-based policy oversight and stakeholder collaboration.

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