U.S. slashes K1.4 billion medical aid to Zambia over widespread drug theft

The United States government has announced a drastic cut of $50 million (K1.4 billion) in annual medical aid to Zambia, citing rampant theft of life-saving drugs and the Zambian government’s failure to act decisively on the matter.

U.S. Ambassador to Zambia, Michael Gonzalez, revealed that from 2021 to 2023, undercover buyers visited over 2,000 private pharmacies across the country and discovered a deeply entrenched black market for stolen medical supplies.

“Shockingly, 95 percent of the pharmacies visited were selling stolen goods. Of these, 45 percent were selling medications and medical supplies that had been donated by the U.S. government for free distribution to the Zambian people,” Mr. Gonzalez said during a press briefing. “This was not isolated it occurred in all ten provinces.”

He said the remaining stolen stock was traced to supplies purchased by the Zambian government, the Global Fund, and other international donors.

Mr. Gonzalez said upon uncovering the theft in late 2021, the U.S. government immediately informed Zambian authorities and conducted a comprehensive on the ground assessment.

However, despite more than a year of high-level meetings 33 in total offering support, and requesting meaningful action, Mr. Gonzalez said the Zambian government has failed to respond adequately.

“Instead of targeting the masterminds, investigations have focused on low-level actors, with only a few mid-level officials arrested,” he said. “Even after six months, there is still no public report on the forensic audit of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), nor has any report been shared with us.”

Mr. Gonzalez said the theft has undermined years of successful health collaborations. He noted that the U.S. has invested approximately $600 million (K17 billion) annually in Zambia, including $128 million (K3.5 billion) for medicines and supply chain support for diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.

“Millions of Zambians are living longer, healthier lives due to this aid. Today, 98 percent of Zambians living with HIV know their status, 99 percent are on treatment, and 98 percent of those on treatment are virally suppressed,” he said.

Mr. Gonzalez has emphasized that the aid cut is unrelated to the broader U.S. foreign aid review under the Trump administration, and stems solely from Zambia’s failure to address the “country-wide, systematic theft.”

“American taxpayers cannot continue funding support that enriches corrupt actors while patients go without medicines meant to be free,” he said.

He has confirmed that the U.S. will continue providing medicines until January 2026 to allow the Zambian government time to develop a transition plan and avoid drug stock-outs.

Afterward, the U.S. will reduce its contribution and shift to providing only technical and logistical support.

Despite the aid reduction, the ambassador reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to Zambia’s long-term development.

“We remain committed to helping Zambia realize its great potential. But there must be accountability. We can no longer justify underwriting theft at the expense of people’s lives,” he stated.

Ends.................