The Zambian Government has announced a major reset at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), with staff members separated from the institution as authorities move to address what the Ministry of Health describes as serious and widespread weaknesses in the national medicines supply chain.
In a press statement dated October 2, 2026, Minister of Health Hon. Prof. Roma Chilengi, MP, said the much-anticipated reset of ZAMMSA had commenced, with the separation of staff described as being undertaken in the national interest.
According to the Minister, the decision follows years of repeated problems at the agency, complaints from stakeholders and forensic audit findings arising from an audit commissioned by the Office of the Auditor General.
The statement said the audit identified weaknesses across the medicines supply chain, including procurement, warehousing and distribution.
Among the issues cited were alleged irregular procurements at inflated prices, unaccounted-for stock, missing system records and the alleged diversion of medicines intended for public health facilities.
The Ministry described the findings as pointing to systemic failures at different levels of the processes within the supply chain.
Prof. Chilengi, however, assured the public that the Government’s intervention would not disrupt the supply of medicines to health facilities.
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He said an interim management team had been put in place and that the Ministry would work closely with cooperating partners and logistics providers to maintain the distribution of medicines during the transition.
The Minister further stated that all staff members separated from the agency would receive their dues in accordance with the law.
According to the statement, Government intends to move quickly to establish a new management structure, with advertisements expected to be issued to fill vacant positions.
Prof. Chilengi said the objective was to establish a lean structure capable of running an efficient system.
The development comes at a time when the availability and distribution of medicines remains a critical issue for Zambia’s public healthcare system, making the integrity of the national medicines supply chain particularly important.
ZAMMSA plays a central role in the procurement, storage and distribution of medicines and medical supplies for the public health sector.
The Government’s announced reset therefore places the agency at the centre of efforts to strengthen accountability and ensure that medicines intended for public health facilities reach their destinations.
The Ministry of Health has not indicated how long the transition to the new management structure will take, but Prof. Chilengi said authorities would work around the clock to ensure that the new management is put in place as soon as possible.
The Government has also thanked health workers, cooperating partners and members of the public for their continued support as the changes are implemented.
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