THE ZAMBIA MEDICINES REGULATORY AUTHORITY (ZAMRA) SHARES KNOWLEDGE ON THE USE OF THE INTEGRATED REGULATORY INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IRIMS) WITH THE MEDICINES CONTROL AUTHORITY OF ZIMBABWE (MCAZ)
The IRIMS is an online platform which allows users to access almost all services offered by ZAMRA. These include the submission, tracking and receiving of approval permits from the Authority without the need for physical document submission.
With respect to the Authority, IRIMS also allows for the receipt, evaluation and approval of submitted applications. This introduces efficiency, transparency and security in the processing of the permits.
Laboratory Services Director Bornaventure Chilinde received the MCAZ delegation on behalf of ZAMRA Director – General Mr Makomani Siyanga, and shared some of the benefits of using the IRIMS in ensuring efficient service delivery. “The beauty with this system is once the permit or license is issued, it is immediately sent to the client through email, thereby reducing congestion at our premises.”
Mr Chilinde also stated that, internally, supervisors are able to follow up on their staff and are able to see in the system who is delaying the process. “The system helps us rectify the bottlenecks, not only to do with our subordinates, but also at manager level, compared to the paper days, a situation which was tedious for our officers.”
And training facilitator, and ZAMRA Principal ICT Officer Arthur Sichivula reiterated that being a regulator entails being on top of things in terms of how you manage your processes.
He said the IRIMS journey which started about 4 years ago was inspired by the need for the Authority to ensure compliance to its legal requirements.
“The IRIMS is not just a system that gives you data, input and output, it’s configured and made to ensure that it’s compliant to legal requirements.” pointed out Mr Sichivula.
ZAMRA has processed slightly over 15 thousand applications from the time the IRIMS system went live. The training took place in Lusaka, from the 11th to 15th of March, 2024.
Story by Lister M. Mutukwa – Public Relations Officer
