On 29 August at the 74^th WHO Africa Regional Committee Meeting in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, the African Medicines Agency Treaty Alliance delivered a statement on Agenda item 10: Framework for strengthening local production of medicines, vaccines, and other health technologies in the WHO African Region 2025-2035.

We, as members of the African Medicines Agency Treaty Alliance (AMATA), an alliance representing African patients, academia, civil society, and industry, urgently call upon the African Union to accelerate the operationalization of the African Medicines Agency and the appointment of the Agency Director General to ensure that there is rapid and equitable access to quality, safe, effective medicines and technologies throughout Africa.

The COVID-19 pandemic, and now the Mpox outbreak, underline the need for a continent-wide regulatory authority to approve and monitor vaccines, innovative medicines, and health technologies in a timely manner.

The African Medicines Agency, through regulatory harmonization, will enhance medical research and development, strengthen academia, and support young healthcare professionals. This will ensure the sustainable development of local and regional production capabilities, particularly critical for maintaining resilient supply chains, especially during health emergencies.

We therefore call on those African Union Member States who have not yet ratified the African Medicines Agency Treaty to do so urgently, to enable the operationalization of a strong continental regulatory system with the ultimate objective of improving public health and the quality of life for all people in Africa.

Media Contacts

Elliot Dunster e.dunster@ifpma.org