Mozambique: Authorities seize more than 50 million pharmaceutical products in 12 months

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Mozambique: Authorities seize more than 50 million pharmaceutical products in 12 months

6:50 CAT | 23 Sep 2024

Photo: Domingo

A source told Lusa on Monday that Mozambique’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority (ANARME) has seized more than 50 million pharmaceutical products and closed down two companies that import medicines in one year.

‘Among the products seized are medicines, supplements and other medical devices,’ said Cassiano João, spokesman for ANARME, adding that the seizures took place between the last half of last year and the first half of this year.

He said most of the products seized were sold in unauthorised places, including markets and commercial establishments, while others were poorly preserved and illegal to circulate in the country.

‘There are cases of products being imported illegally, without ANARME’s knowledge,’ said the spokesman, noting that at least two import companies have been closed down due to “recurring offences”.

‘We have repeatedly taken administrative measures to discourage the practice, but some have been recurrent. When there is a recurrence of these illegal acts, the law tells us to close down, to cancel the licence,’ explained Cassiano João.

In recent months, the authorities have denounced and arrested health officials involved in cases of embezzlement and the sale of medicines from the National Health System.

This month, the Mozambican police arrested four employees of Inhambane Provincial Hospital in the south of the country for embezzling medicines and hospital supplies.

In the same province, in August, a clandestine clinic was dismantled, and an employee of the Provincial Hospital, the alleged owner of the place where the clinic operated, was also arrested.

The police seized ‘huge quantities’ of medicines and surgical materials from the 52-year-old employee’s home, which are suspected of being embezzled from the National Health System.

The allegations of embezzlement of medicines and materials come at a time when the Mozambican National Health System is facing several moments of pressure. This is caused by strikes by employees who are warning of a lack of medical supplies and a chaotic work situation and complaining about salary cuts with the introduction of the new Single Salary Table (TSU).

According to data from the Ministry of Health consulted by Lusa, the country has 1,778 health units, 107 of which are health posts, three are specialised hospitals, four are central hospitals, seven are general, seven are provincial, 22 rural, and 47 districts.

Source: Lusa