ZAMMSA IN EGYPT TO PROCURE MORE DRUGS FOR ZAMBIA
A multi-disciplinary team led by Parliamentary Committee on Health Christopher Kalila has arrived in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to conduct a pre-inspection routine of the second dispatch of drugs that government has procured through the Zambia Medicine and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) .
ZANIS reports that during a courtesy call on Zambian Ambassador to Egypt Mulambo Lubaya at the Egyptian Embassy in Cairo, Dr. Kalila said the procurement of essential medicines and medical supplies from Egypt, will bridge the gap between primary and tertiary health care services.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the government and ZAAMSA for ensuring there is an uninterrupted supply of drugs in hospitals, on this score I want to praise President Hakainde Hichilema and the Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo,” he said.
Dr. Kalila who is also Lukulu East Member of Parliament expressed optimism that the bulky medicine from Egypt will leverage the economic structure in the supply chain of medicine in Zambia and a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to providing equitable access to affordable and quality healthcare for all citizens.
And Ambassador Lubaya said the advantage of Egypt is that the size of its pharmaceutical industry and space is huge.
“The pharmaceutical industry in Egypt is huge and respected, a lot of countries buy medicine here in Egypt,” he explained.
Ambassador Lubaya was particularly happy that Zambia and Egypt have continued to strengthen their bilateral relationships in various areas and the drug purchase from the Arabic republic of Egypt has just cemented the collaboration.
Major General Lubaya said Egypt has affordable drugs for a wide range of indications with an extensive portfolio of products in all major therapeutic areas with medicinal products that can treat various infections.
The team comprises officials from ZAMMSA, Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA), ZAMMSA Board members, Cabinet Office and the Ministry of health.