| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | Proposed |
| Jurisdiction | African Union |
| Map | |
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The African Medicines Agency (AMA) is a proposed specialised agency of the African Union (AU) intended to facilitate the harmonisation of medical regulation throughout the African Union. Following a similar model to that of the European Medicines Agency, it is intended to have a wide scope covering medicines, traditional medicine, and medical devices.
The AMA is the latest step in efforts by the AU and regional African bodies to improve medical capacity in the continent. Such efforts are intended to address a deficiency in drug production and challenges posed by counterfeit and substandard products. Once it is created, it is expected that the AMA will supervise and absorb roles currently carried out by other bodies, such as regional harmonisation efforts and pan-AU creations such as the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) initiative and the African Vaccines Regulatory Forum (AVAREF).
The Treaty for the Establishment of the African Medicines Agency was adopted by the AU in February 2019. It came into effect on 5 November 2021, after ratification from the 15th AU member states, Cameroon.[1]
The headquarters of the AMA will be located in Rwanda.[2]
- ^ "African Medicines Agency Will Come into Being on 5 November – after 15th African Country Ratifies & Deposits AMA Treaty". Health Policy Watch. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
- ^ "African Union Selects Rwanda to Host African Medicines Agency, Grants Africa CDC Autonomous Status". Health Policy Watch. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.