New information has confirmed that PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) […]

New information has confirmed that PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was the audit firm responsible for recommending the separation of all employees from the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).

The recent recommendation by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to separate all employees from the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) has, however, sparked both support and controversy, raising pressing questions especially about the fate of innocent staff members caught in the sweeping reset.

This follows a comprehensive forensic audit, commissioned after a presidential directive, which uncovered critical weaknesses within the Agency.

Others have criticized this move, arguing that it unfairly impacts innocent employees and warning that the decision could have significant negative consequences for staff members who were not involved in any wrongdoing.

In a Ministerial Statement delivered to Parliament on Friday, 16th October 2026, Minister of Health Prof. Roma Chilengi, MP, outlined the findings and actions taken.

Some affected former ZAMMSA employees also confirmed to the Zambian Business Times (ZBT) that PwC was engaged to conduct the audit following concerns about the Agency’s operations.

According to Prof. Chilengi, since the UPND Government assumed office in 2021, funding for medicines and medical supplies increased from K1.6 billion to K6.4 billion in 2026, reflecting the administration’s prioritization of health.

“Despite these increases, ZAMMSA continued to face significant operational challenges, including: Failure to sustain commodity availability in health facilities, with average availability at just 30% in 2021, Awarding of K1.4 billion in contracts despite audit objections and inflated pricing by up to 1,613%, Loss of 4,096 shipments from the warehouse system and unverified goods worth K290 million, K42 million in distribution discrepancies left uninvestigated, Awarding contracts worth K16.1 million to unregistered suppliers, and Poor record keeping, missing procurement documents, and deliberate deletion of electronic records.”

The Minister said the audit’s revelations led to the dissolution of ZAMMSA’s Board, the removal of its chief executive and other directors, and the initiation of law enforcement investigations, some of which have resulted in arrests.

Prof. Chilengi stated, “The audit firm recommended that the government must completely overhaul and reset the entire ZAMMSA. As a result, the Government, working through the Ministry of Health and other key ministries, together with the new ZAMMSA Board, has launched a reset aimed at enhancing efficiency, accountability, and transparency across the entire supply chain—from forecasting and procurement to storage and distribution.”

Meanwhile, when contacted by ZBT, PwC Zambia’s Country Senior Partner, Andrew Chibuye, declined to comment and to confirm whether they had considered the fate of some innocent employees before arriving at that decision of recommending the separationof the entire staff which may have affected even innocent staffs. Chibuye stated, “I can’t comment, please speak to the ministry.”