The Mauritanian Ministry of Health has unveiled this June 8 a new regulatory framework for the pharmaceutical sector aimed at tightening oversight of medicine imports and distribution, while addressing pricing abuses.
Health Minister Thiam Tidjani said all medicines will now be required to undergo registration and monitoring through official entry points, including the Autonomous Port of Nouakchott and Oum Tounsi International Airport, to strengthen control over pharmaceutical supply chains.
The minister stated that medicine prices will be officially regulated and urged citizens to report any violations.
He also announced that a digital platform for tracking medicines and monitoring prices is being finalised and is expected to become operational within two months. Mauritania currently has 44 approved pharmaceutical suppliers.
On healthcare delivery, Tidjani said medical teams across the country’s regions are mobilised to ensure continued access to health services and improve service quality. He added that emergency care, maternal health services and treatment programmes for kidney failure patients will receive increased support in the coming phase.
The minister further noted that while basic medical equipment is available in regional capitals, some specialised cases still require referral to facilities in Nouakchott. To improve patient transfers, the government has adopted a new medical evacuation system based on prior coordination with receiving health facilities.
