The Pharmaceutical Society (PSZ) has commended government for the huge investment in the pharmaceutical sector by constructing a US$2 million medical stores hub in Mpika.
Society President Jerome Kanyika has also commended the Global Fund, UNDP, USAID and other cooperating partners for their continued support to the Zambian health sector.
“In the same vein, PSZ also commends the hard work and dedication of the board, management and staff of Medical Society Limited for this tremendous achievement. We as a society recognise that medicines are the all permeating commodity in the treatment of various ailments and therefore central to achieving a healthy Zambia for increased productivity,” he said.
Mr. Kanyika says most of the drugs used in the country are of Indian origin and are received through the port in Tanzania then transported for over 1000 kilometers through Mpika to Lusaka for the medical stores storage facilities and then back to Mpika into the facilities.
He tells Money FM News that government had to incur twice the cost in terms of the freight.
“With the commissioning of this hub by the President, an opportunity to resolve this has been identified. The hub in Mpika will store drugs and distribute them to all the parts of the country. The society wishes to echo and support the Presidential stance on zero tolerance toward stock outs and pilferage. This will be achieved by ensuring that all the health facilities have qualified pharmacy personnel as mandated by ministry of health under the able leadership of Dr. Chitalu Chilufya by recruiting 30,000 health personnel by 2021 and thus far employed 16, 000, he said.
He hopes that more pharmacy personnel will be employed among the remainder of 14,000.
“The professional body, which is at the centre of various medicines activity, is ready to work with the Republic President to ensure a reality for the benefit of mother Zambia. We recognise the importance of an efficient supply chain management and have consequently themed this year’s profession annual General conference (AGM) “Pharmacists improving HIV, Malaria and Maternal and Child Health Outcomes through efficient Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management Systems,” said Mr. Kanyika..