Caba Verde pharmaceutical companies

Caba Verde pharmaceutical companies

Cape Verde (Cabo Verde), an island country off the coast of West Africa, has a developing pharmaceutical sector that is relatively small but essential for the nation’s healthcare system. Due to its limited domestic production capacity, the country relies heavily on imported medicines and pharmaceutical products. However, there are local initiatives and companies that contribute to the industry by importing, distributing, and, to a lesser extent, producing pharmaceutical goods.

One of the most notable pharmaceutical companies in Cape Verde is Emprofac (Empresa Nacional de Produtos Farmacêuticos). Established in 1978, Emprofac is a state-owned enterprise responsible for the distribution and supply of medicines and healthcare products across the archipelago. The company serves as the primary link between international pharmaceutical manufacturers and the domestic market, ensuring that essential drugs reach hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. Emprofac plays a crucial role in maintaining public health standards by supplying quality-assured and WHO-approved medicines.

Another important player in the sector is Inpharma – Indústria Farmacêutica, S.A., a local pharmaceutical manufacturing company. Founded in 1992, Inpharma is considered the first and only pharmaceutical production facility in Cape Verde. Located in Praia, Santiago Island, it produces a variety of generic medicines, including antibiotics, painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and medicines for chronic diseases. Inpharma not only supplies the local market but has also expanded to export its products to other African countries, particularly those in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The company operates in compliance with international Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which allows it to maintain high-quality standards.

Apart from these two key companies, the pharmaceutical market in Cape Verde includes a network of retail pharmacies and private distributors, such as Medicap and Farmax, which import medicines and medical supplies. These entities source products from Europe, Asia, and other African nations. Portuguese pharmaceutical companies have a strong presence due to historical and linguistic ties, making Portugal one of Cape Verde’s main suppliers of pharmaceutical products.

The government of Cape Verde, through its Ministry of Health, regulates the pharmaceutical sector to ensure safety and efficacy. The Agência de Regulação e Supervisão dos Produtos Farmacêuticos e Alimentares (ARFA) is the national regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the quality, pricing, and distribution of pharmaceutical products.

In conclusion, Cape Verde’s pharmaceutical industry is centered around a few but significant companies like Emprofac and Inpharma, which provide the backbone for drug availability in the country. While still reliant on imports, the presence of local production and effective regulation has enabled Cape Verde to build a reliable pharmaceutical infrastructure to meet its public health needs.