Mozambique can now export medicines anywhere in the world, with the World Health Organization (WHO) awarding pre-qualification for international production to the National Medicines Factory.

According to Notícias, the National Medicines Factory, which produces more than a billion doses a year, has just received a patent for the high quality standards of its medicines, a kind of certification for the international market.

It is the second largest unit in sub-Saharan Africa, placing Mozambique as one of the reference countries in the pharmaceuticals market.

The Head of State said, after visiting the factory on Monday, that the pharmaceutical company represents a gain for Mozambicans and could help reduce the import of pharmaceutical products.

"We tried to mobilize, we encouraged and in 2015 the factory timidly got off the ground. It was consolidated, we believed in it and today it's a reality. It's yours, because you're the ones who produce it, and it's also ready to produce for the world," he said, as quoted by the newspaper.

The factory produces 85 types of medicine, including antihypertensive drugs, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, vitamins, antimalarials and antiretrovirals.