Pharmacists Recognised as Backbone of Zambia’s Health System at Landmark PSZ Conference
The Minister of Health, Dr. Elijah Muchima, has lauded pharmacists as essential pillars in Zambia’s healthcare system, highlighting their central role in delivering quality, accessible, and affordable medicines to citizens.
Dr. Muchima made the remarks during the official opening of the 44th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia (PSZ), held at Radisson Blu Hotel in Livingstone.
Held under the theme “Together for Better Health – Strengthening Collaborations in Pharmacy and Beyond,” the conference underscores the importance of partnerships in improving health outcomes and reinforcing a people-centred healthcare system.
“Pharmacists are not just healthcare providers, but strategic partners in national development,” said Dr. Muchima.
He acknowledged their contribution to decentralised healthcare models such as multi-month dispensing of ARVs and contraceptives—a move that has increased essential medicine availability from 42% in 2021 to over 80% in 2025.
He directed the Ministry to revise the pharmaceutical personnel structure to accommodate evolving specialisations, and announced the establishment of a Pharmaceutical Services Directorate to improve planning, logistics, data management, and last-mile delivery of medicines.
Dr. Muchima also urged educational institutions and regulatory bodies to modernise pharmacy curricula to include digital health, pharmacovigilance, and health informatics.
He revealed that Zambia has now trained 10 industrial pharmacists, marking progress in local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Several key projects under the Zambia Pharma Manufacturing Initiative were highlighted, including the Yash Life Sciences Penicillin Plant, Cholera Vaccine Facility, and Rapid Diagnostic Kits Plant, among others.
The Minister reaffirmed Government’s commitment to transforming Zambia into a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, supported by digital supply chain tools like the Electronic Logistics Management System and mobile-enabled citizen reporting of medicine theft.
“We are building a resilient, self-reliant pharmaceutical sector that supports universal health coverage, economic transformation, and job creation,” Dr. Muchima stated.
The Ministry congratulated the PSZ for its continued leadership in advancing pharmacy practice and reaffirmed its support for ongoing reforms that promote health equity and workforce empowerment.
