The government approved on Tuesday (November 4) the African Medicines Agency Treaty, a document adopted by the African Union (AU) on February 11, 2019. The decision was made during the 37th ordinary session of the Council of Ministers, and in the coming days, the instrument is expected to be submitted to Parliament for debate.
The Mozambican Information Agency explains that the treaty came into force on November 5, 2021, after ratification by 15 AU member states, and aims to improve access to quality medicines and effective insurance in Africa by harmonizing regulatory systems across the continent.
The African Medicines Agency (AMA) will operate as a specialized AU entity to coordinate regulation, harmonize product registration and marketing, license manufacturing and distribution, conduct quality and safety inspections, authorize clinical trials, and oversee appeal procedures.
In July, President Daniel Chapo announced that the government is working with national and foreign investors and researchers to ensure local medicine production, aiming to reduce external dependence.
The head of state added that the work is being carried out in collaboration with “health sector regulators and the business community, to create appropriate incentives, policies, and infrastructure, in order to make this vision a reality in the short term.”
“We are ready and have opened the doors to investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and global partners who believe in Africa’s potential—not as a dependent continent, but as builders of sustainable solutions for access to safe, effective, and quality medicines,” he emphasized.
In May, Minister of Health Ussene Isse revealed that in the first five months of this year, 9.4 billion meticais (145.8 million dollars) were spent on the purchase of medicines and hospital supplies, ensuring there is sufficient stock through the end of the year.
