The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA), in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), has apprehended three foreign nationals at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) for the alleged illegal importation of unregistered medicines into Zambia.
The suspects, comprising two Indian nationals, Sarfaraz Abdul Samad, aged 28, and Nadim Umarji Patel, aged 31, and a Lebanese national, Abou Khaijl Hamze, aged 36, were intercepted at approximately 01:00 hours on Friday, 6th November 2026, upon arrival aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight.
The apprehension followed routine regulatory inspections conducted by ZAMRA Inspectors at the port of entry, during which several packages containing unregistered medicines were discovered in the suspects’ luggage.
The individuals reportedly failed to produce valid import permits issued by the Authority, contrary to Section 35(1) of the Medicines and Allied Substances Act No. 3 of 2013.
The medicines have since been seized, while the suspects remain in lawful custody, assisting ZAMRA and DEC with ongoing investigations. Appropriate charges will be preferred in accordance with the law, subject to the outcome of the investigations.
ZAMRA wishes to remind the public that the importation of medicines and allied substances into Zambia is subject to strict regulatory controls. These measures are essential in ensuring that products entering the country meet the required standards of safety, quality and efficacy, thereby safeguarding the public against potential exposure to substandard, falsified, unsafe and unregulated medical products.
The Authority therefore urges commercial importers, travellers and members of the public to familiarise themselves with and comply with the applicable importation requirements, including obtaining the necessary permits before bringing regulated medicines and allied substances into the country.
ZAMRA remains committed to strengthening regulatory surveillance and enforcement at all points of entry and across the pharmaceutical supply chain. Through continued collaboration with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders, the Authority will intensify efforts to detect, prevent and deter the illegal importation, distribution and sale of unregistered medicines.
Safeguarding public health through access to safe, quality and effective medicines remains our foremost priority.