Mauritius has become the thirteenth (13th) member state of the African Union to deposit the instrument of ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA).
The Ambassador of Mauritius to Ethiopia and the African Union H.E. Mr. Dharmraj Busgeeth deposited the instrument of accession to H.E. Amira Elfadil Mohammed, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, at the AU Commission.
The Commissioner underscored that establishing the AMA was an urgent matter due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“AMA will play an important regulatory role, encourage local production of medical products and align regulatory policies on the continent, taking advantage of the opportunities brought about by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” the Commissioner added.
Ambassador Dharmraj Busgeeth noted that Mauritius is keen to see the establishment of AMA as soon as possible, and to contribute to the development of vaccine production facilities on the continent.
The deposit by Mauritius is in line with the desire of African Heads of States and Governments to avoid the existence of falsified products that pose a risk to public health, harm patients and undermine confidence in healthcare delivery systems.
To date, eighteen (18) member states have ratified the AMA Treaty and thirteen (13) of these have deposited the instruments of ratification to the Commission.
The AMA Treaty will enter into Force 30 days upon the deposit of the 15th instrument of ratification at the Commission.
