African countries must work together to improve medical-product regulation, strengthen local manufacturing, and reduce dependence on imports, according to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) Chairperson, Dr. John Munyu.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Seventh Biennial Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa (SCoMRA VII) in Mombasa, Dr. Munyu called on nations to leverage regulatory harmonisation to expand health product manufacturing and trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Dr. Munyu said this year’s conference theme, “Regulatory Harmonisation: Unlocking Africa’s Potential in Health Product Manufacturing and Trade” is more than just a discussion topic; it is a continental call to action.
He highlighted the continent’s reliance on imported medical products as a major vulnerability, a weakness laid bare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Africa imports over 90 percent of its medicines and produces less than one percent of its vaccines. This is not just a statistic; it reflects our dependence and vulnerability, which the COVID-19 pandemic painfully exposed,” he said.
The PPB Chairperson noted that recent health emergencies, including the 2024 Monkeypox outbreak declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security by the Africa CDC, showed the urgent need for coordinated and effective regulatory systems.
He praised the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) programme for aligning guidelines, introducing reliance mechanisms, and promoting digital transformation over the past decade, achievements that have paved the way for the African Medicines Agency (AMA) headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda.
Dr. Munyu also reaffirmed Kenya’s active role in continental harmonisation efforts, highlighting the leadership positions held by PPB officers in African regulatory forums.
He commended the SCoMRA VII Organising Committee, led by Paulyne Wairimu, for demonstrating Kenya’s commitment to advancing Africa’s health agenda.
Welcoming Dr. Mimi Darko, the inaugural Director-General of AMA, Dr. Munyu said the agency represents Africa’s shared vision of resilience and self-reliance in health.
“SCoMRA VII is not merely a conference; it is a strategic platform to make this vision real to catalyse local manufacturing, support intra-African trade under AfCFTA, and ensure that quality, safe and effective medical products reach every African,” he said.
Over three days, delegates will discuss strengthening regulatory oversight to attract investment, advancing pooled procurement, harnessing innovation and artificial intelligence, and building stronger partnerships among governments, industry, researchers, and civil society.
Dr. Munyu thanked development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), CEPI, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, German Cooperation (GIZ), and the Africa Public Health Foundation, for their support in advancing Africa’s regulatory agenda.
“Our objectives are clear, our potential immense, and our collective resolve remains key to unlocking it,” he said.
The conference highlights a renewed drive across Africa to improve medical-product regulation, boost local production, and reduce reliance on imported medicines and vaccines.
