Mozambique’s medicines regulator says medicines and medical‑surgical supplies worth about $350,000) were stolen from the National Health Service (NHS) in the first six months of 2026, raising fresh concerns over diversion and illegal resale of public health commodities.
The National Medicine Regulatory Authority (ANARME) said the losses emerged during nationwide inspections targeting pharmacies, clinics, health centres, informal markets and wellness facilities.
ANARME spokesperson Cassiano João said 580 establishments were inspected, resulting in 19 seizures of pharmaceutical products, mostly from pharmacies.
Nearly 25,000 units of SNS medicines were confiscated, including treatments for gastrointestinal illnesses, analgesics, antiretrovirals, erectile‑dysfunction drugs, weight‑loss products and medical devices.
Five criminal cases have been opened over the illegal sale of SNS medicines, involving suspects in Sofala, Zambézia, Manica, Nampula and Maputo city.
João said the Attorney General’s Office is assessing the cases and authorities have ordered administrative measures, including the closure of 17 pharmacies in Gaza and Tete and the suspension of imports from four Indian manufacturers for failing to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices.
He said the findings point to management failures and possible diversion of medicines from the public health system.
JN/APA