ExxonMobil seeks to advance investment decision in Mozambique this year

Pharmacists from Portuguese-speaking countries have requested the creation of a Pharmacists' Order in Mozambique. According to the organization's secretary-general, Ricardo Santos, this Order would be fundamental for addressing public health challenges, drug policy, patient safety, and expanding access to healthcare.

Through a statement, AFPLP sent a letter to Mozambican authorities advocating for the establishment of the Pharmacists' Order of Mozambique. The organization emphasized the relevance of this measure to value the profession and strengthen the quality and safety of health services, committing to support the process.

This position was formally communicated by AFPLP to the President of the Republic, the President of the Assembly of the Republic, and the Minister of Health, appealing for the Order to function as an autonomous body for professional regulation.

AFPLP argues that establishing the Pharmacists' Order of Mozambique represents a significant advance both for the development of the pharmaceutical area and for strengthening this sector. The institution, which groups associations of professionals from Lusophone countries such as Mozambique, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, and Portugal, highlights the role of these bodies in the independent regulation of the profession, aiming to guarantee high standards of ethics, responsibility, qualification, and independence in professional practice.

For AFPLP, the existence of an Order in Mozambique would also help increase the confidence of citizens and institutions in professionals, in addition to promoting greater participation of pharmacists in the formulation and execution of health and drug policies.

The Lusophone institution declared its willingness to assist Mozambican authorities during the process of creating the future professional order. This initiative is seen as an opportunity for Mozambique to demonstrate its commitment to the valuation and progress of the pharmaceutical profession, especially at the XV World Congress of Portuguese-Speaking Pharmacists, which will take place in Maputo from November 25 to 27 this year.

On June 23, 2025, Lusa reported that the Portuguese Pharmacists' Order would offer support for the training of pharmacists in Mozambique. This support included the creation of communication campaigns about the importance of these professionals and the proper use of medicines, as informed by the president of Afarmo, Bélia Muchanga.

A protocol was signed in Maputo, establishing a collaboration between Afarmo, the Mozambican National Drug Regulatory Authority (Anarme), and the Portuguese Pharmacists' Order. This agreement stipulated that the Portuguese Order would assist Mozambican professionals in developing concrete actions for the regulation of the sector, as detailed by Bélia Muchanga.

In addition to training Mozambican professionals in creating educational materials for radio, television, and digital platforms, Portugal planned to support the country in awareness initiatives regarding the role of the pharmacist and the rational use of drugs, specifically combating self-medication. Bélia Muchanga added that the protocol covers assistance in creating educational messages for health units on these same topics.

Bélia Muchanga, besides leading Afarmo, assumed the presidency of AFPLP in 2024, an organization that encompasses over 400,000 professionals. The Association of Pharmacists of Mozambique (Afarmo) has 250 members, with a total of 1,700 registered pharmacists in Anarme, according to data provided by Bélia Muchanga.

The spokesperson for the Council of Ministers, Inocêncio Impissa, reported that analyses are still underway to determine the cause of a possible second wave of fuel shortages beginning to be experienced in Mozambique.

Impissa confirmed to journalists that the government is aware of the situation, which was registered again since last weekend, characterized by the closure of stations without supplies and long queues at those that remain open. He assured that authorities are collecting data to clarify the origin of the problem.

The return of extensive queues at certain distribution points has been noted for days, especially in the city of Matola, belonging to the province of Maputo. This occurs after a period of stability that followed the previous fuel crisis, caused by logistical hurdles resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.

Between April and May, the scarcity of gasoline and diesel generated queues with dozens of vehicles. At that time, the presence of the police's Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR) was reinforced at stations that had fuel, aiming to ensure security and control access for drivers, motorcyclists, and consumers with containers.

The fuel insufficiency, resulting in the closure of stations across the national territory, impacted both business activities and the transport sector. On May 7, the price of diesel rose by 45.5% and gasoline by 12.1%. The Government justified this price change based on international market dynamics and supply difficulties linked to the Middle East conflict.

Later, on June 12, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Estêvão Pale, argued that biofuels could help mitigate the effects of fluctuating international fossil fuel prices. He emphasized that these biofuels must be integrated into the country's energy matrix diversification strategy.

During his speech at the opening of the National Biofuels Seminar, held in Maputo, Estêvão Pale acknowledged that Mozambique operates in a scenario of instability due to international fossil fuel prices and the impacts of the Middle East conflict on global supply chains. According to him, the country has adequate natural, agricultural, and logistical conditions to develop a national biofuel chain, although he stressed that these will not replace fossil fuels in the short term.