#digital health #Antares Vision #Guinea-Bissau #Pharmaceutical Traceability #Bissau

Expansion of Collaboration Between Guinea-Bissau and Antares Vision Group

On September 19, 2025, Guinea-Bissau made significant strides towards improving its public health sector with the announcement of a national mandate for pharmaceutical traceability. This groundbreaking initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Augusto Gomes, the Minister of Public Health, aims to establish one of West Africa's most ambitious pharmaceutical traceability frameworks.

Antares Vision Group, an Italian multinational renowned for its Track & Trace solutions and commitment to quality control, is at the forefront of this initiative. Following a historic agreement signed in February 2025, which was further solidified during a ministerial visit to Antares Vision's headquarters earlier, the scope of their partnership has broadened to include vital aspects of healthcare such as local pharmaceutical manufacturing and the incorporation of Serialisation-as-a-Service solutions.

Under this new collaboration, Antares Vision will also extend traceability requirements to medical devices, thereby strengthening Guinea-Bissau’s position as a regional leader in digital health innovation. Gianluca Mazzantini, CEO of Antares Vision Group, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, "We are proud to support this pivotal step and announce the next phase of cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health. Pharmaceutical safety and transparency are the cornerstones of a modern healthcare system."

At the heart of this initiative is the establishment of the National Medicines Catalogue, which will serve as an authoritative source for drug data in the country. Managed by the Autoridade Reguladora de Farmácia, Laboratório e Medicamentos (ARFAME), this digital platform will provide real-time regulatory oversight and improve decision-making, further enhancing patient safety through centralized product approvals and supply chain transparency.

Moreover, the upcoming launch of the AVGroupHub in early October 2025 will facilitate registration for manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, and pharmaceutical dispensers, ensuring compliance with upcoming regulations set to enforce in March 2026. This new mandate is poised to generate initial revenue for Antares Vision Group as it triggers vital registration activities for pharmaceutical entities in the country.

Overall, this collaboration signifies a monumental step in transforming Guinea-Bissau’s healthcare landscape by leveraging innovation and cooperation. As stated by Sebastian Neuwirth, Head of Government Solutions at Antares Vision Group, "This partnership illustrates how innovation and collaboration can genuinely transform health care. By broadening our collaboration to include production, medical devices, and digital services, we are assisting Guinea-Bissau in establishing a benchmark for the region, highlighting the immediate and long-term sustainability of this program."

In conclusion, as Guinea-Bissau moves towards a future of enhanced healthcare governance, the supportive framework established by Antares Vision Group could serve as a model for other nations aiming to improve their pharmaceutical systems and public health infrastructure.