US$3M HIV Drugs Wasted Due to Poor Stock Control.
- Chipo Basira
- 04 May, 2026
US$3M HIV Drugs Wasted Due to Poor Stock Control.
Antiretroviral medicines worth US$3 million have expired while being stored at National Pharmaceutical Company warehouses, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care revealed this week.
Acting Committee Chairperson Decent Bajila said the loss points to serious weaknesses in stock management and distribution systems in the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
Bajila told Parliament the expiry of life-saving medication undermines public health efforts and shows inefficiencies that need urgent attention.
He called for those responsible to be held accountable.
To prevent a recurrence, the Committee urged authorities to introduce reforms, including improved inventory controls, faster distribution of medicines to health facilities, and stronger oversight in the health sector.
The incident has raised concern over access to essential medicines for HIV patients and the broader management of medical supplies in Zimbabwe’s public health system.
NatPharm is the state-owned company responsible for procuring, storing, and distributing medicines and medical supplies to public hospitals and clinics across Zimbabwe.
At an average cost of US$8–$12 per patient per month for first-line ARV treatment in Zimbabwe, US$3 million worth of drugs could have covered treatment for 20,000 to 30,000 patients for a full year.
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