Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency

23/08/2025

ZAMMSA Condoms and Contraceptives a Hot Pick at the ongoing Likumbi LyaMize Traditional Ceremony.😊🙌

23/08/2025

We're Exhibiting at the ongoing Likumbi lyamize Traditional Ceremony here in Zambezi District.

22/08/2025

SENIOR CHIEF NDUNGU PRAISES GOVERNMENT FOR ENHANCED HEALTHCARE IN ZAMBEZI DISTRICT

Senior Chief Ndungu of the Luvale-speaking people in Zambezi district, North-Western Province, has commended the government for significantly improving healthcare delivery in the area.

The traditional leader expressed his satisfaction during a courtesy visit from a delegation of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).

Senior Chief Ndungu, explained that the notable improvement in healthcare delivery has resulted in a substantial reduction in complaints from his people regarding drug shortages and poor healthcare services. He emphasized that this development is crucial for attracting investment and stimulating growth in the area and the country as a whole.

21/08/2025

ZAMMSA is exhibiting at the Likumbi Lya Mize Traditional Ceremony here in Zambezi District!

Swing by our stand, learn more about what we do… and oh, don’t forget to grab your “VIP pass” for responsible fun 👀(Yes, we mean condoms! 😂).

Because… culture is sweet, but safety is sweeter! 😎🙌

21/08/2025

21/08/2025

We are LIVE at the Zambezi District Hospital were we are checking on availability of essential medicines and medical supplies.

20/08/2025

At ZAMMSA, we understand that timely access to quality medicines can mean the difference between life and loss. That’s why our commitment to nationwide distribution is unwavering.

From remote clinics to provincial hospitals, we ensure that every corner of the country is reached, because every Zambian deserves reliable healthcare, no matter where they live.

10/08/2025

In public health, the priority is readiness to save lives. Preparedness often comes at a cost, but the cost of being unprepared is far great.

WHY ARE GOVERNMENT DRUGS EXPIRING AMIDST SCARCITY?
One of the main drivers of procurement decisions is disease patterns. When outbreaks are anticipated, drugs are stocked in advance as part of preparedness efforts. If the outbreak doesn’t occur, or occurs at a smaller scale than expected, the surplus drugs may go unused and eventually expire. A good example is the COVID-19 pandemic, large quantities of vaccines and related medicines were procured globally. Now, many of those unused supplies are simply awaiting expiry.

Another key factor is changes in global health guidelines and treatment protocols. For example:

When the WHO removed Chloroquine from first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria, existing stocks expired unused.

When Ketoconazole was declared unsafe for use, it was withdrawn, and stocked quantities expired.

Similarly, when WHO updated HIV treatment guidelines to favor Dolutegravir-based combinations, older regimens like Tenofovir/Efavirenz/Lamivudine were phased out, leading to expiries.

Even today, if there is no cholera outbreak in the next few years, the vaccines stocked in anticipation may also expire.
Not all expiries are due to negligence or inefficiency many are the result of necessary and strategic decisions.

This is why best practices in supply chain management allow for a small, unavoidable threshold of expiries. In public health, the risk of a shortage during an emergency outweighs the cost of a manageable level of expiry. It’s a balancing act between preparedness and waste.

Article by Pharmacist Steve Kabani

09/08/2025

ZAMMSA Senior Manager Corporate Communications Mr Bradley Chingobe explains the current status and procedure on the disposal of expired medicines from the year 2023 and 2024.

ZAMMSA remains committed in keeping the public informed and ensuring that the exercise is conducted with the highest levels of transparency, accountability and stakeholder consensus.

06/08/2025

ZAMMSA Management and the Global Fund convened today for a high level meeting focused on operational matters and ongoing support from the cooperating partner.

06/08/2025

Catch ZAMMSA Senior Manager Corporate Communications Mr Bradley Chingobe on KNC Radio tomorrow morning.

Time:9AM
Topic: Availability of Medicines 💊