The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Governments of the Republic of Ghana, the Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania convened a High-level Working Breakfast on Operationalizing the African Medicine Agency (AMA) and Securing Africa's Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)  free future. The event took place in three folds; high-level opening remarks, Progress updates on AMA operationalisation and NTDs Advocacy for increased resources and a panel discussion titled’ “Charting the Path on Ensuring Access to Quality, Safe and Efficacious Medicines and Medical Equipment on the African Continent: NTDs as a Pathfinder”. It was moderated by the AMA Special Envoy, Hon. Michel Sidibe on 16 February in the margins of the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit.

“This is a unique merge of events to discuss two health priorities that are core to the strengthening of health systems and health security because, on the one hand, the establishment and operationalisation of the AMA represent a significant step towards strengthening pharmaceutical regulation, promoting access to safe and effective medicines, and enhancing public health across Africa. On the other hand, securing a future for Africa free of NTDs means establishing health resilience on the continent because NTDs account for significant morbidity and mortality, which overall contributes to poverty and undermines economic development in Africa. I underscore that the effective operationalization of AMA and ending NTDs in Africa is a multifaceted task that requires strong health systems and a comprehensive approach that involves both leaders and the communities they serve,” stated H.E. Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development African Union Commission

"AUDA-NEPAD has ensured that there is no technical vacuum in the operationalization of AMA. Through our African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) program, we have provided leadership in preparing a roadmap for the operationalization of AMA. Additionally, we have utilized the foundation laid by the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative (AMRH) to fortify common standards and processes for medical product regulation. We have coordinated regional harmonization through Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as pillars for AMA and established Regional Centers of Regulatory Excellence (RCOREs) to enhance regulatory capacity. Notably, we have played a key role in establishing continental technical committees, building on the work of the AMRH. These are some of the assets that we are strengthening to facilitate the technical take-off of the AMA, which holds the key to unlocking continental trade in pharmaceuticals brought by the AfCFTA," underlined  Mr Symerre Grey-Johnson on behalf of H.E. Ms Nardos Bekele-Thomas, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD.

“Despite the presence of nearly 500 drug manufacturers on the continent, we face significant barriers in terms of investment, infrastructure, and access to international markets, with only five manufacturers certified at the international level. The challenges we encounter are often related to the inefficiency or absence of drug regulation, marked by vague policies and incomplete or inconsistent legal and regulatory frameworks. Therefore, strengthening regulatory action and accelerating the establishment of the African Medicines Agency is crucial,” noted Hon. Michel Sidibe, AU Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency.

“In January 2022 her Excellency president Samia Sulu Hassan was proud to confirm her role as a champion for neglected tropical diseases as part of a global campaign led by uniting to combat NTDS the leadership of Tanzania was solidified when Tanzania became one of the first signatories to the Kigali declaration on entities which was adopted at the Commonwealth summit led by the government of Rwanda in June 2022 achieving a sustainable and financially resourced Africa free of entities requires not only new and accessible health products but visionary leadership strategic planning and our collective commitment from endemic country governments and global solidarity let us seize this opportunity to make tangible progress in our fight against entities and in achieving the goals of AMA by ensuring that no one is left behind we call upon those countries that are yet to ratify the armor treaty to do so as time is not on our side we call on countries to join Tanzania and invest their domestic resources to end neglected tropical diseases, ” Hon. Dr. Damas Daniel Ndumbaro, Minister of Culture, Arts and Sports, United Republic of Tanzania.

The health and well-being of Africans are highlighted as a fundamental building block to achieving the socio-economic and structural transformation as envisaged in the Africa Agenda 2063. It has also been underscored as the main goal of the Africa Health Strategy 2016-2030 through which Essential medicines, Commodity Security and Supply Systems are underscored as a strategic approach. A critical determinant of a healthy and productive population in Africa is access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines, medical products and technologies - a core pillar of Universal Health Coverage. The control and elimination of NTDs also directly contribute to the universal health coverage (UHC) goals ensuring that populations have access to quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. UHC will not be fully attained without addressing NTDs as part of the national health agenda. NTDs control and elimination strategies should be integrated into the health systems including surveillance systems to monitor and track disease re-emergence.

The event brought together AU Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Health, AU Specialised Organs, the Development Community, Civil Society Organs and Members of the press.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Inas Mubarak I Head of Health Systems, Diseases and Nutrition Division | Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission Tel: +251 901 091 175 | E-mail: AbbasI@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |

Ms. Whitney Mwangi I Health Communication and Advocacy Specialist | Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development | African Union Commission Tel: +251 901 097 067 | E-mail: WhitneyM@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |

Ms. Millicent Kgeledi I Communications Officer | AUDA-NEPAD | E-mail: Millicents@nepad.org

Media Contact:

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communications Officer | African Union Commission | Email: GamalK@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
Web: www.au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube