Rwanda and the African Union penned an agreement for the country to host the African Medicines Agency (AMA) on Saturday, opening the door for the newly established continental pharmaceutical regulatory agency to start doing business.
The agreement was signed by Minata Samate Cessouma, the AU's commissioner for health, humanitarian affairs and social development, and Sabin Nsanzimana, Rwanda's health minister, at a ceremony in the country's capital Kigali.
"AMA 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," Nsanzimana stated.
Cessouma praised Rwanda for its dedication to improving the nation's health, noting that AMA will make a significant contribution to the continent's production and medication distribution.
According to Nsanzimana, the agreement constitutes another step toward turning ideals into reality.
According to authorities, the specialized agency will enhance coordination among regulators, increase access to medications, facilitate pandemic preparedness, and create resilient health systems.
The treaty creating the continental agency has been ratified by a number of African Union member states, who have also lodged the ratification instrument with the AU Commission.