DEC institutes full-scale forensic investigations at ZAMMSA

By Masauso Mkwayaya

Laboratory tests on some batches of medicines in the 61 ZAMMSA containers that were marooned at a private warehouse for months have passed the set standards of quality assurance.

Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority -ZAMRA- Director General MAKOMANI SIYANGA says this means that the medicines are fit for use and will be released for distribution.

Mr. SIYANGA says samples of medicines are being submitted to the National Drug Quality Control Laboratory for quality analysis.

Speaking at a joint press briefing with the Drug Enforcement Commission -DEC- in Lusaka today, the ZAMRA- Director General said medicines that have been tested so far comply with the set standards of quality.

Mr. SIYANGA said the sampling exercise will continue next week as more medicines get offloaded into the ZAMMSA warehouse.

And investigations by the DEC and other law enforcement agencies indicate lack of supervision at ZAMMSA and the Ministry of Health regarding the 61 containers of medicines from Egypt.

DEC Director General NASON BANDA said neither of the two institutions made a follow-up on the consignment of essential medicines in seven months.

He said the keeping of the containers at a private depot for a long time denied citizens access to proper medicines and medical supplies.

Mr. BANDA said a full-scale forensic investigation has been instituted at ZAMMSA to unearth any illegalities that may have occurred, ensuring comprehensive accountability and rectification.

He said statements have been recorded from several key individuals from the Ministry of Health, ZAMMSA, the depot management, as well as the clearing agent and the shipping company.