The Medicines Research and Access Platform (MedRaP) has urged government to implement policy changes aimed at improving the availability of essential medicines in health facilities.
MedRaP Executive Director, Liyoka Liyoka, emphasized the need to decentralize the drug budget to align with the devolution of primary healthcare services at the district level.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka, Mr. Liyoka stated that decentralization would allow districts to manage their own budgets and procure medicines based on their specific needs, ensuring more efficient resource utilization.
“Districts will be able to manage their own budgets and procure medicines based on their specific needs,” said Mr. Liyoka.
He further called for increased funding to the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) to enable it to procure medicines in bulk and function as a wholesaler, providing facilities like the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) with access to affordable medicines.
“Providing ZAMMSA with adequate funding will give it the financial muscle to negotiate better prices with suppliers and make medicines more affordable,” said Mr. Liyoka.
By Elizabeth Mutale
