NCDAK, and other founding members of AMATA, representing patients, academia, civil society, and industry, welcome the official ratification of the AMA Treaty, which has enabled the African Medicines Agency to effectively enter into force today. We now call on the African Union to build on the current momentum gained with the legal deposition of instrument of ratification of the Treaty by the minimum required 15 AU Member States, to prepare for the practical implementation of the Agency.
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Why AMA, Now? The fragile health systems in Africa are under-resourced, with limited infrastructure and capacity to address the increasing burden of NCDs. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that health security will only be achieved through concerted efforts and cross-border collaboration, highlighting the importance of having strong regulatory systems in place to enable for patient access to safe, effective and high-quality medicines and vaccines.
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Why NCDs stand to benefit
- Improved access to safe and affordable quality NCD medicines through pooled procurement.
- Increased financing to NCDs to deal with the growing burden of NCDs through consolidation of funds.
- Access for equitable distribution of health services for all through the delivery of care i.e. UHC.
- Regulation and control of sub-standard or falsified medicines through enforcement.
- Increased advocacy towards NCDs through political support and partnership.
- Streamlining regulatory assessment process for new drug applications.
The AMA will ensure harmonised and strengthened regulatory systems for improved access to safe and affordable quality medicines in Africa essential for universal health coverage.
