The African Medicines Agency (AMA), a newly launched continental regulatory body for medical products, is set to start its work, with its headquarters in Rwanda.
Rwanda was selected to be the host of the agency during a 2022 AU Executive Council meeting in Lusaka, Zambia.
AMA is a specialised agency of the African Union (AU) intended to facilitate the harmonisation of medical products regulation throughout the AU in order to improve access to quality, safe and efficacious medical products on the continent.
Many AU member states including Rwanda ratified the treaty establishing the continental agency and deposited the legal instrument of ratification to the AU Commission.
The AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, Minata Samate Cessouma and Rwanda’s Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana sign the MoU as Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission(L) and Permanent Secretary at MINAFETT, Clementine Mukeka look on
On Saturday, June 10, Rwanda and the AU signed the host country agreement, an important step in getting the work of AMA started.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana said the institution will play a key role in building confidence in the quality of health products on the continent, promote cooperation and mutual recognition in regulatory decisions and facilitate the movement of health products.
Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana delivers remarks at the signing event in Kigali.
The agency is tipped to enhance capacity of state parties to regulate medical products, to improve Africa’s access to quality safe, and efficacious medical products
In a media interview, Nsanzimana noted that the government of Rwanda has already provided space where the agency will operate, and that after the signing of the host agreement, a number of processes are going to follow.
The next steps will include getting leaders for the institution, putting in place facilities like laboratories, and so on.
The AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, Minata Samate Cessouma, said AMA will hugely contribute to the production of medicine on the continent, and allow it to move across the continent.
The AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, Minata Samate Cessouma, signs the agreement in Kigali.
Minister of Health Dr Sabin signs the agreement. With the signed agreement, the African Medicines Agency (AMA), a newly launched continental regulatory body for medical products, is set to start its work, with its headquarters in Rwanda.
(L-R) Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, Minata Samate Cessouma, Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana and Permanent Secretary at MINAFETT, Clementine Mukeka during the signing event in Kigali.
(L-R) Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the AU Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development, Minata Samate Cessouma, Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana and Permanent Secretary at MINAFETT, Clementine Mukeka during the signing event in Kigali. Photos by Olivier Mugwiza
Rwanda was selected to be the host of the agency during a 2022 AU Executive Council meeting in Lusaka, Zambia.
The signing ceremony took place at Kigali Convention Centre on Saturday, June 10.
Officials pose for a photo after signing the agreement in Kigali on June 10
Delegates pose for a group photo at the signing event in Kigali on Saturday ,June 10. All photos by Olivier Mugwiza
