East African Countries Pursue EMA Model for Regulatory Harmonization

A delegation of agency heads from the East African Community visited the European Medicines Agency to learn about the agency’s structure and operations. EMA is supporting regulatory harmonization in the region.

The May meeting explored whether the agency could serve as a model for a regional medicines agency for East Africa, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The delegation also included representatives from the World Health Organization and the World Bank.

The group identified the main steps needed to establish such an agency, according to the EMA, and concluded there is political will and commitment from East African regulators to improve public health by ensuring citizens have access to quality medicines.