In the central Mozambican province of Tete, a troubling practice has come to light: some poultry producers have allegedly been using antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) – drugs meant for people living with HIV – as growth accelerators for chickens.
The revelation comes from an investigation conducted by the civil society organisation Galamukani, whose researchers say the illicit use of the medication is far more widespread than authorities had previously acknowledged. According to Isaias dos Anjos, the project’s lead investigator, producers are sourcing the drugs through health professionals who divert supplies from the National Health System for illegal sale.
Quoted by the newspaper “Diario de Moçambique”, Dos Anjos described a small but highly organised black market. Bottles of ARVs are reportedly sold for between 160 and 250 meticais, and in some cases exchanged directly for chickens. “The theft and illicit sale of State-owned medicines is becoming a dramatic situation,” he warned.
Galamukani reports that two health workers admitted to the diversion of the drugs and confirmed their misuse in poultry farming. They acknowledged that the illegal trade deprives patients of essential medication, distorting supply chains and eroding trust in the public health system.
Health specialists say the practice is not only criminal but also poses a significant threat to public health. Administering ARVs to animals can contribute to drug resistance, undermining the effectiveness of life-saving treatment for people living with HIV. Galamukani is now calling for urgent intervention from authorities to dismantle the scheme and hold those responsible to account.
In response to this allegation, the Mozambican Government announced that it is investigating the matter.
Addressing Parliament on Thursday, Health Minister Ussene Isse said the authorities were treating the matter with urgency.
“We will work on this issue in two dimensions: one concerning public health, given the claims that chickens were raised using antiretrovirals; and the second concerning the diversion of medicines within the health sector,” he said.
The minister admitted that theft and diversion of medicines still persist in the country and urged collaboration to eradicate the problem.
For now, both civil society and the Government agree on one point: the alleged misuse of antiretrovirals in poultry farming represents a serious breach of public trust and a threat to communities already burdened by gaps in access to essential medicines.
