Parliament Probes US$3 Million ARV Drug Expiry at NatPharm

Zimbabwe’s Parliament has raised serious concern after antiretroviral (ARV) medicines worth an estimated US$3 million expired while in storage at NatPharm warehouses, exposing weaknesses in the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain.

The issue was flagged by Decent Bajila, Acting Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care, who said the development reflects critical failures in stock management, distribution, and oversight within the public health system.

“The expiry of life-saving medicines on this scale points to serious gaps in inventory control and distribution efficiency,” Bajila said. “This is a matter that requires urgent corrective action and accountability.”

ARVs are essential in the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS, a condition affecting hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans who rely on consistent access to medication to maintain their health and prevent transmission.

Health experts warn that disruptions in ARV supply chains can have severe consequences, including treatment interruptions, drug resistance, and increased pressure on already strained healthcare services.

“This is not just a financial loss it is a public health risk,” said a Harare-based pharmacist. “Every expired batch represents patients who could have been treated. Efficient forecasting and distribution systems are critical in managing such essential medicines.”

NatPharm, the government’s central medical procurement and distribution agency, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the availability of medicines across Zimbabwe’s public hospitals and clinics. However, repeated concerns have been raised in recent years about stockouts, delayed deliveries, and wastage within the system.

Bajila stressed that urgent reforms are needed to strengthen pharmaceutical logistics, including improved inventory tracking, timely dispatch of medicines, and enhanced monitoring systems.

“We need tighter controls, better planning and real-time visibility of stock levels to ensure medicines reach patients before they expire,” he said.

The parliamentary committee has called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the expired stock, including identifying officials responsible and assessing whether procurement or distribution failures contributed to the loss.

Public health analysts say the incident underscores systemic challenges in Zimbabwe’s healthcare supply chain, including limited storage capacity, funding constraints, and coordination gaps between procurement agencies and health facilities.

“There is a need for digital stock management systems and better coordination between central warehouses and end-user facilities,” said a health policy expert. “Without reform, similar losses are likely to recur.”

The development has also raised concerns among civil society groups advocating for improved access to essential medicines, particularly for vulnerable populations dependent on government health services. Authorities are now under pressure to implement corrective measures to safeguard future supplies and restore confidence in the management of critical medical resources.

NatPharm ARV expiry Zimbabwe