Uganda has become the 18th African Union member state to deposit the instrument of ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) at the AU Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The country led by Gen. Yoweri Museveni domesticated the Treaty on the 11 November 2021 in Kampala, but hadn’t yet deposited her instrument of ratification to the AU Commission. However, this News site understands that the country has now fully handed over the instrument of ratification to the AU Commission in a ceremony that took place last week.
Speaking at the signing occasion, reappointed Uganda’s ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union, H.E. Rebecca Amuge Otengo, noted that Uganda is committed to supporting the operationalization of the AMA for Africa. She said this will enable Africa have a sovereign institute that shall prioritize the health and well-being of African citizens.
“It is my pleasure to reiterate our commitment and continued support to the Commission in efforts to encourage more member states to sign and ratify the AMA Treaty.” Amb. Otengo said as she deposited the instrument of ratification.
AMA will among other functions examine, discuss and/or express regulatory guidance on any regulatory matter within its mandate, either on its own initiative or at the request of the African Union, RECs or State Parties.
The agency will also provide guidance on regulation of traditional medical products and provide advice on the marketing authorization application process for the priority drugs described by the States Parties or on the products proposed by the pharmaceutical laboratories.
To date, 26 member states have signed the Treaty, of which 19 have ratified and eighteen 18 have deposited the instruments of ratification to the Commission.
The Commission expects to have the operationalization of AMA next year 2022.
The African Union Commission encouraged 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 AMA Treaty which entered into force on November 5 2021 was adopted by Heads of States and Government during their 32nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly on 11 February 2019 in Addis Ababa. The African Medicines Agency aspires to enhance capacity of State Parties and AU recognized Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to regulate medical products in order to improve access to quality, safe and efficacious medical products on the continent.
AMA will be the second specialized health agency of the African Union after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
