African Medicine Agency crucial to ensure access to quality medicines in continent

Addis Ababa, November 13, 2023 (FBC) – The establishment of the African Medicine Agency (AMA) is crucial to ensure access to quality medicines in a sustainable manner in the continent, according to Ministry of Health.

Health, Social, Development, Cultural and Sport Affairs Standing Committee of the House of Peoples’ Representatives held a discussion today with stakeholders on the draft proclamation of Treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency.

The African countries adopted the treaty to establishing the Agency in 2019, which came into force in 2021.

The treaty under the leadership of African Medicines Agency will allow African Union member states to provide for efficient and effective protection of public health against risks associated with the use of substandard and falsified medical products.

Weak regulatory systems have resulted in the circulation of substandard and falsified medical products, and health technologies in many of the African Union member states, it was indicated.

Health, Social, Development, Culture and Sport Affairs Standing Committee of the House of Peoples’ Representatives held a discussion with stakeholders on the draft proclamation of Treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency.

The objective of the discussion, according to ENA, is to exchange views on the importance of the establishment of agency to help strengthen national capacity in the sector.

Speaking at the occasion, Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadese said that the establishment of the Agency will help Africans to have access to quality and proven medicines in a sustainable manner.

The existence of substandard and falsified products poses a risk to public health, harm patients and undermine confidence in healthcare delivery systems, she stated.

In this regard, the minister said the establishment of the continental agency will enable the sustainable supply of quality medicines in an efficient manner.

The agency will also play an important role in strengthening national drug control institutions and increasing their capacity in Ethiopia.

Director General of Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority, Heran Gerba on her part said Ethiopia  is working in cooperation with African countries to strengthen the quality and control of drugs, medical equipment and other health resources in the continent.

In this regard, She said, the establishment of the agency will create the capacity to strengthen regulation around borders to reduce challenges with the quality and control of medicines in sub-Saharan Africa.

The agency will help African countries to strengthen their control capacity by exchanging experiences.

Historically, Africa has lagged behind in the area of medicines regulation, which compromises the continent’s ability to provide affordable access to lifesaving, essential medicines in the global quest to advancing the right to health for all and to achieving Universal HealthCare (UHC).

This challenge is multi-faceted and cannot be resolved using a singular approach, it was indicated.

Hence, the need for methodical and in-depth analysis of the public health system on the one hand, and formulating sustainable mechanisms deliberately designed to chip-away at the challenge from different vantage points on the other hand is vital.

So far, 26 countries in Africa have approved the treaty to establish the African Medicines Agency.

The Ministry of Health of Ethiopia in collaboration with other stakeholders is hereby empowered to implement the Treaty both establishment of the African Medicines Agency.