Mozambique is ready to produce medicines for the global market and significantly reduce its dependence on imported medicines.

President Filipe Nyusi said this during a visit to the national pharmaceutical factory in Matola, Maputo Province.

According to Mr Nyusi, since its inauguration in 2015, the factory has produced more than one billion doses per year, covering about 85 types of essential medicines, including antihypertensives, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and vitamins.

“Thanks to the recent certification of the pharmaceutical factory by the World Health Organisation.

“The WHO certification represents a recognition of the ‘high standard and quality’ of the products manufactured. The factory is now poised to expand its production to the international market,” said Mr Nyusi.

Mr Nyusi emphasised the importance of the factory in combating counterfeit medicines, noting that local production would help reduce the illegal acquisition of pharmaceuticals.

“Those who buy stolen medicines would no longer have much space. Soon, we would make the tablet widely available, reducing the market for counterfeit drugs,” Mr Nyusi added.

He also took the opportunity to encourage the factory to begin producing vaccines against malaria and cholera, among other diseases. 

(Xinhua/NAN)