The Republic of Burkina Faso becomes the third AU member state to ratify the Treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) on 14^th April 2020, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and deposited the instrument of accession to the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union on 9th July 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Commission encourages all its member states to sign and ratify the treaty for the establishment of AMA in the interest of public health, safety and security. The treaty is available for signature at the Headquarters of the Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The African Medicines Agency, will enter into force once ratified by fifteen (15) African Union member states. The AMA will serve as the continental regulatory body that will provide regulatory leadership, to ensure that there are harmonized and strengthened regulatory systems, which govern the regulation of medicines and medical products on the African continent.

The Agency will provide regulatory oversight through strengthened regulatory guidance and the coordination of on-going regulatory initiatives in order to improve access to safe, effective, good quality and affordable essential medicines, medical products and health technologies. AMA will partner with, and coordinate existing harmonization efforts in the AU recognized Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Health Organizations (RHOs) and member states. 

Further information should be directed to:

·       Office of the Legal Counsel of the African Union Commission

·       Dr. Margaret Agama-Anyetei, Head of Division for Health, Nutrition and Population; Social Affairs Department; AU Commission; Tel: +251115162211; E-mail: Agama-AnyeteiM@africa-union.org

For further media inquiries, please contact:

1.     Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head of Information Division | Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | Mobile: +251911361185 | E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

2.     Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Directorate of Information and Communications (DIC) | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org