MeTA Zambia advocates to Government

Posted on 12 August 2009

As part of a policy advocacy strategy, key stakeholders in MeTA Zambia, Violet Kabwe and Goodwell Lungu, made a presentation about MeTA and its concerns to six Members of Parliament from different political parties, in Lusaka, Zambia on 29 July 2009.

The MPs were very interested to hear about MeTA’s efforts and considered it to be a positive step in addressing the many problems affecting the delivery of health care services in Zambia. They too are concerned about the same issues as MeTA, namely those on quality, availability, affordability and promotion.

The Hon. Jean Kapata expressed her concerns about the high fees that have been introduced by the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority (PRA), the pilfering of medicines within the public health system and what could be done about the many illegal drug stores in Zambia.

The Hon. Yamfwa Mukanga asked whether there was any system to regulate the medicines from Tanzania that were finding their way on the Zambian market. The Hon. Gladys Lundwe questioned why MeTA was just operating in Lusaka where people are already well informed; why not rural areas where people have less knowledge and understanding about medicines? MeTA Zambia advised that though the pilot has just started, there are plans to engage rural community in all provinces later through various programmes.

The Hon. Dr Joseph Katema commented that while it is good to have high standards, he wondered how practical the new regulations on having a practising pharmacist available 24 hours a day in a retail chemist would be, given the current shortage of pharmacists. He also observed that the mushrooming of illegal 'drug stores' shows the need for medicines in the community and he suggested that steps should be taken to 'legalise' these stores by improving structures, training, and effective supervision. The Hon. Davies Mwila observed that there are a number of 'quack' foreign doctors operating in the communities, with no formal training, who are prescribing medicines and injecting patients.

The MPs resolved that they would move a motion on one of the MeTA topics and will work further with MeTA stakeholders to define the issue and take it forward. This will initiate debate around a particular issue, creating opportunities to raise awareness among other MPs and the general population. Parliamentary debates are broadcast live on national radio and a summary is presented on a national television programme, 'Today in Parliament'.

“We recognise that commitment and involvement of policy makers is key to the success of the programme," said Violet Kabwe. "The communication strategy we have is to promote policy dialogue about issues relating to MeTA with policy makers at the highest level. MeTA will send powerful messages to government on issues of accountability and transparency in the medicines national supply chain.”