The African Medicines Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Health Sciences Authority to strengthen their cooperation and to harmonise the regulation of medical products across the continent.

The AMA stated this in a statement on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 30th International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) in Singapore.

According to the statement, the agreement sets out a framework for both regulatory authorities to exchange information, expertise, build regulatory capacity, collaborate closely on regulatory science and practice. 

It explained that the collaboration would be taken forward through joint consultations, exchange of technical expertise and best practices, joint studies and regulatory assessments, and training programmes. 

The AMA Director-General, Delese Mini Darko, said, “For AMA, this MoU is about building a practical partnership between HSA and Africa’s emerging continental regulatory system. AMA works with and through National Regulatory Authorities across the continent, and this partnership gives us an opportunity to connect HSA’s experience and expertise with the wider African regulatory network—supporting stronger regulatory systems and ultimately improving access to quality-assured, safe and effective health products for African patients.”

AMA stated that the partnership advanced its core vision of a harmonised continental system in which regulators work to common standards, fot patients everywhere in Africa to access medicines that meet consistent benchmarks of safety, quality and efficacy. 

The agency also said it reflects its growing network of international partnerships as it consolidates its role as Africa’s continental regulatory coordinator and connecting the continent’s regulatory system to a wider global community working to the same end. 

It noted that by deepening scientific exchange and shared regulatory practice with an established international partner, AMA strengthens the expertise of Africa’s regulatory system by connecting them to a wider global community. 

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of HSA, Raymond Chua, said the agreement with AMA “provides an important foundation for future cooperation. Through this partnership, we look forward to identifying practical areas where we can share expertise, strengthen regulatory capabilities and deepen collaboration in ways that benefit patients, healthcare systems and innovators across our regions.”

Both health agencies expect that, as the partnership develops, they would have closer cooperation to strengthen regulatory systems, deepen scientific exchange and support timely access to safe, efficacious and quality-assured medical products for their people.