By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The African Medicines Agency
(AMA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have agreed to
accelerate the implementation of priority activities under their existing
cooperation agreement, including the assessment and review of selected medical
products of particular importance to Africa.
The agreement followed
discussions between AMA Director General Dr Delese Mimi Darko and senior
leaders of the US FDA during the inaugural AMA Week in Kigali, Rwanda.
The discussions reviewed
progress in implementing the existing cooperation agreement between the two
institutions and explored opportunities to further strengthen their
collaboration.
Dr Darko said she was
encouraged by the progress made so far and expressed appreciation to the FDA
for its continued partnership and commitment to supporting the AMA’s work.
The two institutions also
agreed to accelerate several priority activities, particularly those involving
the assessment and review of selected medical products considered important to
the African continent.
According to Dr Darko,
cooperation with established regulatory institutions provides valuable
opportunities for the AMA to exchange scientific expertise, strengthen
regulatory capabilities and support more efficient regulatory processes.
She emphasised that the
agency aims to build on such partnerships in ways that complement and
strengthen the work of African National Regulatory Authorities while responding
to the continent’s public health priorities.
Dr Darko thanked the FDA
leadership for the constructive engagement and expressed optimism about
translating the shared commitments into tangible progress.
The collaboration forms part
of broader efforts to strengthen regulatory cooperation and build Africa’s
capacity to ensure the safety, quality and effectiveness of medical products
across the continent.
