PHARMACY PROFESSION MUST RECLAIM ITS IMAGE AND STRATEGIC SPACE – MULENGA EMMANUEL

Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia (PSZ) presidential aspiring candidate, Mulenga Emmanuel, has unveiled an ambitious reform agenda aimed at restoring the image, influence, and professional independence of pharmacists and pharmacy technologists in Zambia.
Speaking during the launch of his manifesto held on 7th May 2026 at Southern Sun Ridgeway in Lusaka, Mr. Mulenga outlined a comprehensive vision for the future of the profession ahead of the forthcoming PSZ Elective Annual General Meeting scheduled for 24th–26th June 2026 at Radisson Blu Hotel in Livingstone.
Rebuilding the Image of the Profession
Mr. Mulenga stated that one of his top ten priorities would be rebuilding the public image and credibility of pharmacists and pharmacy technologists, which he believes has been negatively affected by persistent public misconceptions and unfair narratives surrounding medicines management.
He observed that despite the fact that 90% of health facilities in Zambia, particularly at primary healthcare level, are managed by non-pharmaceutical personnel, pharmacists are often unfairly blamed whenever medicines are stolen or mismanaged.
“The profession has suffered reputational damage for many years. Whenever medicines go missing, society immediately points fingers at pharmacists and pharmacy technologists, even in institutions where pharmaceutical personnel are not directly managing operations,” he said.
Mr. Mulenga announced that under his leadership, the Society would establish a strong legal committee mandated to protect the integrity of the profession and pursue action against individuals or institutions that deliberately bring the profession into disrepute.
At the same time, he emphasized that professional accountability would remain non-negotiable and members found engaging in misconduct would be held individually accountable.
Strategic Institutions Must Be Led by Experts
The aspiring PSZ President also expressed concern over the continued appointment of non-pharmaceutical professionals to strategic institutions responsible for medicines procurement and pharmaceutical supply chain management, including Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency.
He argued that institutions responsible for national medicines security require leadership from professionals with expertise in pharmaceutical systems, medicines management, and supply chain logistics.
“Government is investing huge resources into medicines procurement. Institutions like ZAMMSA require specialized leadership from professionals who understand medicines management, pharmaceutical logistics, and supply chain systems,” he stated.
Mr. Mulenga commended Government for increasing the national medicines budget to ZMW 6.4 billion in the 2026 National Budget but expressed concern that the increase in medicines expenditure was not being matched with proportional investment in pharmaceutical human resources.
“You cannot invest billions into medicines without investing adequately in the professionals responsible for ensuring rational use, accountability, and patient safety,” he said.
Addressing the Employment Crisis
Mr. Mulenga highlighted the growing employment crisis within the pharmacy profession, noting that universities and colleges are now producing approximately 700 pharmacists and over 1,200 pharmacy technologists annually, while recruitment into the public sector remains significantly low.
He stated that the recruitment of approximately 138 pharmaceutical personnel this year was insufficient considering the growing demands of the health sector.
“This is a drop in the ocean considering the size of the health system and the investment being made in medicines and medical supplies,” he noted.
He pledged to work closely with strategic institutions, including the Presidential Delivery Unit, the Ministry of Health, and cooperating partners, to advocate for expanded employment and equitable deployment of pharmaceutical personnel across the country.
Push for Self-Regulation
Mr. Mulenga further announced that his administration would actively pursue the self-regulation agenda for the pharmacy profession should pharmacists and pharmacy technologists continue losing representation within existing regulatory structures.
He warned that if pharmaceutical professionals are removed from board representation at the Health Professions Council of Zambia, the Society would intensify efforts towards establishing an independent regulatory framework specifically for pharmacy professionals.
“Pharmacy is a highly specialized profession. Some pharmacists specialize in industrial pharmacy, regulation, supply chain, clinical pharmacy, public health, manufacturing, management, and policy. These unique specializations are not fully recognized under the current framework,” he said.
He added that pharmacy remains one of the world’s most respected professions and Zambia must work towards restoring its dignity and strategic relevance.
Internship Fees and Welfare Support
On internship support, Mr. Mulenga proposed maintaining current internship fees during the first year before gradually reducing them annually until a sustainable minimum threshold is reached.
He explained that the proposal aligns with Government’s free education policy and broader efforts aimed at improving access to professional training opportunities.
The aspiring president also pledged to revamp the PSZ research committee and journal systems to enable the Society to generate income through consultancy services, research partnerships, and collaborations with cooperating partners, institutions, and private companies.
According to Mr. Mulenga, these initiatives would reduce excessive dependence on member contributions while enhancing professional visibility and institutional sustainability.

Funeral Policy and Member Welfare
Mr. Mulenga also addressed concerns surrounding member welfare and funeral support.
He observed that members are currently contributing approximately ZMW 150 monthly but often receive inconsistent support during bereavement periods.
“We want to establish a proper funeral and welfare policy that guarantees equal and dignified support to every member. Members must begin seeing tangible benefits from their contributions,” he said.
He stressed that accountability and transparency in the utilization of PSZ resources would remain central under his leadership.
Supporting Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
On local pharmaceutical manufacturing, Mr. Mulenga stated that Government’s local manufacturing agenda would receive strong support under his administration.
He emphasized that, if effectively implemented, local manufacturing has the potential to create employment opportunities for many Zambians, including non-pharmacists, while strengthening national medicines security.
He further noted that local manufacturing would help reduce lead times for medicines, improve product availability, and minimize expiries associated with prolonged procurement and distribution processes.
“We shall work with all strategic institutions, multilateral organizations, development partners, and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure that this important agenda, which His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema is passionate about, is fully actualised,” he said.
Mr. Mulenga also highlighted the need to strengthen pharmaceutical leadership structures within the health sector.
He pointed out that countries such as Algeria, which have made significant progress in pharmaceutical manufacturing, have dedicated ministries or strong national structures responsible for pharmaceutical services and local manufacturing including agencies.
He expressed concern that despite pharmacists managing a significant proportion of the health sector budget in Zambia, the Ministry of Health still lacks a fully-fledged Directorate of Pharmacy.
“We shall engage the Republican President to address and reverse these anomalies so that the pharmacy profession can effectively contribute to national development and the advancement of the healthcare system,” he said.
Governance and Institutional Independence
On governance reforms, Mr. Mulenga declared that he would not personally sit on any board as PSZ President, arguing that such arrangements weaken the Society’s independent voice.
Instead, he proposed that all board appointments representing PSZ should undergo a transparent and competitive process to promote wider member participation and protect institutional integrity.
He further emphasized that under his leadership, the Society would remain politically neutral and would never be used for personal, commercial, or partisan interests.
Mr. Mulenga also pledged to establish a Board of Trustees within the first year of office to safeguard PSZ assets and strengthen institutional governance.
“The Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia must remain independent, professional, and accountable to its members and the people of Zambia,” he said.
In concluding his address, Mr. Mulenga urged members to vote for leaders with proven and traceable leadership experience, humility, and the ability to engage key national stakeholders in advancing the pharmacy profession.
“On 26th June, once given the mandate, we shall immediately begin engaging the leadership of this country to ensure pharmacists reclaim their rightful role in the management of pharmaceutical services and medicines systems in Zambia,” he concluded.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Zambia is expected to hold its Elective Annual General Meeting from 24th to 26th June 2026 in Livingstone, where members will elect a new Executive Committee to lead the profession for the next term.

Signed by
Mulenga Emmanuel
PSZ President Aspiring Candidate