Mozambique will in February start testing medical drugs before importing them as part of a strategic bid to reduce the influx of counterfeit drugs, Health Minister Nazira Abdulla said on Monday.
According to local media reports, Abdula said the Mozambican government would maintain contact with health professionals from the countries that supply medicines.
“The test of the samples will confirm that the product corresponds to the specifications of the dossier approved by the Ministry of Health,” the minister is quoted as saying by state-controlled Mozambique Television.
She added: “Drug testing in India will ensure that the government protects Mozambican citizens by ensuring that only safe and quality medicines are imported into country.”
Abdula explained that the pilot phase of the project would be implemented with India, the largest supplier of medicines to Mozambique.
“From 1 February we will have an online platform that will serve to register all importers and exporters, including manufacturers of the medicines,” she said.
According to the World Health Organization, fake medicines cause more than 100,000 deaths a year in Africa.
Source: Journal du Cameroun