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Company History

WHO WE ARE

Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency is a statutory body established under the ZAMMSA Act No 9 of 2019 and charged with the mandate to Procure, Store and Distribute Essential Medicines and Medical Supplies to all public health facilities in Zambia.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ZAMMSA, formerly known as Medical Stores Limited, was established as a semi-commercial, limited company under the Companies Act. The Company’s original mandate was to carry out procurement, storage, and distribution of all essential drugs for Zambia’s public health sector. The responsibility for drug procurement was later transferred to the Ministry of Health as part of a general government reform policy of re-locating public procurement activity into relevant line ministries.

Initially, ZAMMSA’s operations were limited to drug storage and distribution. However, it has now been given the mandate to carry out procurement, in addition to its existing responsibilities, ensuring a more integrated approach to the supply chain for Zambia’s public health sector.

THE OLD MANDATE

 The Ministry of Health issued a new directive for provision and management of procurement and supply chain services for essential medicines and medical supplies. This directive called for the then MSL to take over all these responsibilities and to carry them out on behalf of MOH. Among the key developments was the assumption of procurement services by MSL and the provision of supply services direct to the health facilities, rather than up to the district stores. This new mandate is underpinned in the National Supply Chain Strategic Plan (2015-2017).

THE NEW MANDATE

The new mandate of ZAMMSA includes the full spectrum of procurement, storage, and distribution of medicines and medical supplies. This expanded role aligns with the Agency's transformation into a comprehensive supply chain management entity for Zambia's health sector. Under the new mandate, ZAMMSA is tasked with procuring essential medicines and medical supplies directly from suppliers, ensuring compliance with quality standards and cost-effectiveness. In addition to its original responsibilities for storage and distribution, the agency now oversees the entire procurement process, from needs assessment and supplier selection to contract management and monitoring. This integration aims to enhance efficiency, accountability, and transparency within the supply chain, ensuring a steady supply of quality-assured medical commodities to health facilities nationwide, ultimately strengthening the country's healthcare delivery system.

ZAMMSA TODAY
 

Today, ZAMMSA operates as a fully integrated supply chain management entity, playing a pivotal role in the healthcare delivery system of Zambia. The agency is responsible for the end-to-end management of medicines and medical supplies, encompassing procurement, storage, and distribution. With a mandate to ensure a consistent and reliable supply of quality-assured medical commodities, ZAMMSA has adopted modern technologies and practices to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and improve accountability.

ZAMMSA collaborates closely with government ministries, health facilities, international partners, and other stakeholders to meet the healthcare needs of the Zambian population. Its operations focus on maintaining transparency, adhering to regulatory standards, and achieving cost-effectiveness while addressing the dynamic demands of the healthcare system. Through its efforts, ZAMMSA contributes to strengthening public health services, reducing stock-outs, and ensuring that essential medicines and medical supplies are available to support the nation’s health goals.