Zambia is making sure that essential HIV medications remain available, even after the U.S. decided to stop providing these drugs. The Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZMMSA) confirmed that there’s enough stock of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to meet the needs of patients across the country until June 2025.
Bradley Chingobe, senior manager for corporate communications at ZMMSA, reassured the public, saying, “There is no cause for concern.” He added that central and regional hubs are fully stocked with first-line, second-line, and third-line ARV treatments.
Although the U.S. halted aid on January 20, 2025, for 90 days, Zambia’s strong ARV inventory ensures that patients will continue receiving their necessary treatment. ZMMSA remains dedicated to its distribution network that serves 3,500 health facilities nationwide.
As of September 30, 2023, Zambia had around 1.5 million people living with HIV, with nearly 1.3 million of them on antiretroviral therapy, according to the Ministry of Health. The consistent supply of ARV drugs is vital for their health and well-being.
The Zambian government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that any potential supply disruptions are swiftly addressed, safeguarding the health of its HIV-positive population.