ZAMMSA Begins Safe Disposal of Over 500 Tonnes of Expired Medicines
The Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) has launched a major operation to safely and responsibly dispose of expired medicines accumulated between January 2023 and December 2024.
The exercise, expected to surpass 500 tonnes of expired stock worth approximately K129 million, is being conducted in full compliance with national regulatory and environmental standards.
Speaking on the initiative, ZAMMSA Senior Manager–Corporate Communications, Mr. Bradley Chingobe, said the move demonstrates the agency’s strong commitment to public health, environmental protection, and pharmaceutical supply chain integrity.
The disposal process involves a rigorous verification protocol coordinated with the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA), the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), and the Lusaka City Council (LCC). Medicines are carefully inspected, weighed at the Lusaka City Council weighbridge in Chunga, and then transferred to CleanFriends Limited, a licensed waste management firm based in Kasupe.
Once the disposal facility reaches full capacity, a second round of verification is conducted before the incineration process begins. The actual incineration will be carried out in the presence of regulatory authorities, media representatives, and members of the public, ensuring a transparent and accountable process.
Mr. Chingobe explained that delays in disposal were due to changes in treatment guidelines and the receipt of short-shelf-life donations, which led to the accumulation of expired medicines.
He reassured the public that only 1.2% of the current stock held by ZAMMSA is expired, well below the regulatory threshold of 2%, attributing this to the agency’s robust inventory management systems.
ZAMMSA also expressed gratitude to the Global Fund for providing essential financial support to carry out the operation.
“ZAMMSA remains committed to the highest standards of pharmaceutical safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental responsibility as we work to protect the health of the nation,” Mr. Chingobe emphasized.
