The Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia has commended Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) for closing 40 Pharmacies in Lusaka for non-compliance.
Society President Jerome Kanyika tells Money FM News that ZAMRA must be commended for the action taken to suspend licenses and or close 40 retail pharmacies in Lusaka for non-compliance with the provisions of the Medicines and Allied Substances Act, No. 3 of 2013.
Mr. Kanyika hopes that this action took into consideration all the due processes and procedures in accordance with the law.
“We are also appealing to ZAMRA to actualise a very important provision in the current standards of pharmaceutical practice for retail pharmacy on “5.3 on Management/administration” which provides that a Pharmacist or a corporate body of Pharmacists MUST own not less than 51% shares in the retail pharmacy to allow the Pharmacist take a stand against unethical practices and undue influence from the proprietor hence improving compliance and professionalism in practice as the retail pharmacy business does not only have the business side but must be balanced with the professional and client service side,” he said.
He states that the current standards of pharmaceutical practice needs to be reviewed urgently to tune it in line with existing practices and recommendations of internationally recognised organisations such as the current World Health Organisation and International Pharmacy Federation “Guide to good Pharmacy Practice”.
“Therefore, we remain ready to partner with ZAMRA to ensure that this document responds to the current and emerging needs in the standards of practice for effective professional practice and public safety and satisfaction. On dispensing prescription only medicine, the PSZ sees this as a big issue that requires a sober, holistic and multi stakeholder approach, from the perception and health seeking behavior of the general members of the public, to diagnostics and prescribing and finally dispensing,” said Mr. Kanyika.
He has called on institutions such as ZAMRA, Health Practitioners Council of Zambia,, government, NGOs, Zambia Medical Association and all interested Organisations to partner with them, discuss and find solutions to some of these challenges unique to the country.
“We strongly feel that pointing out one part of the equation will not give any lasting solution. Finally, we wish to state that the current law (MASA), needs urgent review in order to close the lacunas and loop holes for excellent pharmaceutical regulation,” he said.

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