The Zambia Medical Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) has proposed a revised schedule of fees for hospitals, pharmacies and retail medical stores.

According to the proposed revised schedule, some fees have been doubled while others have increased by three to six times.

Pharmaceutical licenses for wholesale operators or those intending to start operating have too been increased.

“Application for grant of pharmaceutical license-wholesale from K4, 610 to K30, 000; Re-inspection of premises for pharmaceutical license-wholesale from K3, 460 to K24, 000; Renewal for pharmaceutical license-wholesale from K3, 460 to K24, 000; and Application for change of premises for wholesale shop from K4, 610 to K30, 000 while those in towns with district councils and other areas: Application for grant of pharmaceutical license-wholesale from K2, 310 to K15, 000; Re-inspection of premises for pharmaceutical license-wholesale from K1, 700 to K12, 000; Renewal for pharmaceutical license-wholesale from K1, 700 to K12, 000; and Application for change of premises for wholesale from 2, 310 to K15, 000,” the proposed revised schedule indicated.

Hospitals, pharmacies and retail shops have also been given different revised fees.

“Those operating in towns with city or municipal councils have been increased follows; “Application for grant of certificate of registration from 4, 750 to K20, 000; Re-inspection of premises to operate a retail pharmacy from K3, 600 to K16, 000; Annual Returns or no change returns for retail pharmacy from K2, 400 to K10, 000; Application for change of premises for Retail Pharmacy from 4, 750 to K20, 000; Application for change of premises for Retail pharmacy within the hospital from K870 to K3, 000 and to new premises from K4, 750 to K20, 000,” the schedule revealed.

Those operating or wishing to operate in towns with district councils and other areas have fees have been increased by about five times.

“Application for grant of certificate of registration from K2, 375 to K10, 000; Re-inspection of premises to operate a retail pharmacy from K1, 800 to K8, 000; Annual Returns or no change returns for retail pharmacy from K1, 670 to K5, 000; Application for change of premises for retail pharmacy within the hospital from K435 to K1, 500 and to new premises from K2, 375 to K10, 000,” read the table.

Meanwhile the fees for dispensing certificates in towns with city or municipal councils have been increased 10 to 15 times.

“Application for issue of dispensing certificate from K1, 200 to K15, 000; Re-inspection of facility with dispensing certificate from K750 to K10, 000;Renewal for the dispensing certificate from K750 to K10, 000; and Application for change of premises for dispensing certificate from the current feels of K1, 200 to K15, 000 [while for those in towns with district councils and other areas will be as follows]; Application for issue of dispensing certificate from old K600 to K10, 000; Re-inspection of a facility with a dispensing certificate from K350 to K5, 000; Renewal for the dispensing certificate from K350 to K5, 000; and Application for change or premises for dispensing certificate from K600 to newly proposed K5, 000,” the revised proposed schedule indicated,” the schedule indicated.

And for Angro-veterinary shop for towns with city or municipal councils as follows: Application for issue of an Agro-veterinary shop permit class 1 from current fees of K4, 740 to new K9, 500; Re-inspection fee for grant of an Agro-veterinary shop permit from K3, 600 to K7, 200; Renewal of the Agro-Veterinary shop permit class 1 from K3, 600 to K7, 200; and Change of premises of the Agro-Veterinary shop permit class 1 from K4, 700 to 9, 500 while those in district councils and other areas: Application for issue of an Agro-veterinary shop permit class 1 from K2, 370 to K4, 740; Re-inspection fee for grant of an Agro-veterinary shop permit from K1, 800 to K3, 600; Renewal for the Agro-Veterinary shop permit class 1 from K1, 800 to K3, 600; and change of premises of the Agro-Veterinary shop permit class 1 from K2, 370 to K4, 740.”