Mozambique: ANARME seizes unauthorised pharmaceutical products at Maputo supermarket

Mozambique’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority (ANARME, IP), in coordination with the Inspectorate-General for Food and Economic Safety (IGSAE), the Public Prosecutor’s Office (PGR), and the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), carried out an inspection operation on 25 August 2026 at the China City Supermarket in Maputo city, which resulted in the seizure of various pharmaceutical and other health products not authorised for sale in Mozambique.

The intervention was part of joint inspection activities aimed at strengthening market controls and combating the sale of health products of dubious origin, without registration or authorisation from the competent authorities.

During the operation, the inspection team identified and seized a range of products, including anabolic products intended to increase the size of the hips, buttocks, breasts and chest; products allegedly used to stimulate ovulation; sexual stimulants; anti-haemorrhoid products; antimalarials; gels, ointments and capsules intended for skin lightening; medicinal teas for weight loss; and creatine, an ergogenic supplement used to improve muscle performance.

Photo: Autoridade Nacional Reguladora de Medicamento,IP – ANARME,IP

Phytotherapeutic products and other health products containing active ingredients with medicinal effects were also found. Their sale is subject to specific registration, authorisation and control requirements by the regulatory authority.

One of the aspects that particularly drew the inspection team’s attention was the discovery of several products that had been hidden and had no labels, as well as various rolls of labels stored on the premises.

The presence of this material, together with the unlabelled products, indicates that the labelling of certain health products may have been taking place at the establishment itself. This will be investigated by the competent authorities.

Photo: Autoridade Nacional Reguladora de Medicamento,IP – ANARME,IP

ANARME warns that products intended for therapeutic purposes cannot be freely imported and sold. They must be duly registered and purchased through legally authorised companies. The sale of products without guarantees of quality, safety and efficacy poses a direct risk to consumers’ health.

The operation also found that the commercial establishment does not hold a licence authorising the sale of pharmaceutical products, despite various products of this nature having been found on the premises.

During the inspection, inadequate conditions were also identified in the kitchenette and bathroom areas, along with poor ventilation and the display of damaged products. These matters fall within the remit of IGSAE.

The inspection team was also unable to access the supermarket’s warehouse where stocks of health products are stored, which prevented a full inspection of the products held at the establishment.

In view of the irregularities identified, the health products were seized and are subject to the subsequent legal procedures and investigations into their origin, authenticity and compliance with Mozambican legislation.

As a result of the inspection, the commercial establishment was fined the equivalent of 400 public-sector minimum wages, without prejudice to other administrative or legal measures that may result from the ongoing investigations.

Photo: Autoridade Nacional Reguladora de Medicamento,IP – ANARME,IP

During the same joint operation, various alcoholic spirits were also seized within the participating authorities’ remit to inspect economic activities and products sold on the market.

ANARME reiterated its commitment to stepping up, in coordination with IGSAE, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, SERNIC and other institutions, inspections and efforts to combat the illegal sale of medicines and other health products. It called on citizens to purchase such products exclusively from properly licensed and authorised establishments, helping to protect public health and promote access to quality medicines.