Untangling Africa's regulatory processes for better health

The complex web of regulatory processes across the African continent means it can often take years for a single health product to be approved for use. These delays hinder timely access to quality, safe, lifesaving vaccines, medicines, and medical devices.

In response, the treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) was approved in 2018 to provide a platform for coordination and strengthening ongoing regional and continental harmonization initiatives. Now that the 15th African country ratified the AMA, the treaty is set to enter into force.

In this PATH Live Forum on regulatory harmonization on the African continent, we take a closer look at the preparatory phase of AMA implementation and explore how it can be leveraged to ensure high-quality health products get into the hands of those who need them most, when they are needed most.

Speakers:
- Hon. Michel Sidibé, African Union Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency
- Margareth Ndomondo-Sigonda, Head of Health Programmes, African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD)
- Sibusiso Hlatjwako, Director of External Affairs, Africa Region, PATH (moderator)