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Medical Stores Limited

Objective:

Furnish the nation with good quality drugs and various medical equipment and supplies

Shareholding:

IDC 100%

About

Medical Stores Limited is a State- Owned Company (SOC) wholly owned by the Government, with Ministry of Finance the main shareholder (98%) and Ministry of Health the minor shareholder (2%). The Company is governed by a non- executive

Board of Directors. Medical Stores Limited (MSL) was established in 1976 as a semi commercial, limited company under the Companies Act (current 1999). The Company’s original mandate was to carry out procurement, storage and distribution of all essential drugs for Zambia’s public health sector. In 1996, the responsibility for drug procurement was transferred to the Ministry of Health as part of a general government reform policy of re-locating public procurement activity into relevant line ministries. MSL’s operations since 1996 have therefore been limited to drug storage and distribution.

In 2012, the Ministry of Health issued a new directive for provision and management of procurement and supply chain services for essential medicines and medical supplies. This directive called for MSL to take over all these responsibilities and to carry them out on behalf of the MOH. Among the key developments was the assumption of procurement services by MSL and the provision of supply services direct to the health facilities, rather than up to the district stores. This new mandate is underpinned in the National Supply Chain Strategic Plan (2015-2017).

This new mandate and the MSL Business Plan receive specific support to address MSL operations and future strategic developments. To manage this support or inputs effectively, the Projects Office was set up to perform this important role.

The Company’s original mandate was to carry out procurement, storage and distribution of all essential drugs for Zambia’s public health sector. In 1996, the responsibility for drug procurement was transferred to the Ministry of Health as part of a general government reform policy of re-locating public procurement activity into relevant line ministries. MSL’s operations since 1996 have therefore been limited to drug storage and distribution.