18th March, 2024.

The National Assembly Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services today engaged the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) in a quest to fully appreciate its operations and challenges.

Chairperson of the Committee and delegation leader Hon. Dr Christopher Kalila MP. commended ZAMRA for the important role it plays in approving medical products and ensuring that only quality, safe and efficacious Medicines and Allied Substances are availed on the Zambian market.

Hon. Kalila explained that his committee, among other things, was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that government agencies under its jurisdiction were doing the right thing. 

He said government through members of parliament, was also there to offer help where need be. “The committee also plays the complementary and supportive role so that the health outcomes of our people are optimum as desired”. Said Hon. Kalila.

In his welcome remarks, ZAMRA Board Chairperson Robert Simenza SC, through his representative Dr. Martin Lisati Chasha thanked the committee for making time off their busy schedules to come and interact with management.

He appreciated Government, for the role it plays in the enactment of various laws pertaining to medicines regulation in Zambia, through the National Assembly Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services.

And responding to the question on the Authority’s position on decentralization, ZAMRA Director – General Mr Makomani Siyanga said the Authority was already working with other law enforcement agencies, and was looking into more collaboration as a means of enhancing performance in areas where ZAMRA is not present.

The engagement meeting ended with the tour of the National Quality Control Laboratory.

Story by Lister M. Mutukwa – Public Relations Officer