Technical Brief: Implementing a Computerized Medicine Registration System in Mozambique

In 2012, the Government of Mozambique began a national accelerated response to HIV and AIDS. As a result, better awareness, funding, and deployment of proven interventions have significantly improved HIV prevention, treatment, and care support. This includes the rapid scaling up of antiretroviral therapy. With significant support from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, coverage of eligible adults rose from 47% in 2012 to 72% by the end of 2013 (PEPFAR Mozambique Country Operational Plan, FY14).

However, there is a shortage of quality essential medicines in the country, exacerbated by the time it takes for medicine importers and distributors to get authorization for importing and selling medicines. The longest wait times are for antiretroviral, antimalarial, and new molecule medicines that require more complex documentation, such as World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification. To help close these gaps, Mozambique engaged SIAPS to strengthen the pharmaceutical sector’s institutional and individual capacity.