Gabon deposits the instruments of ratification of the AMA Treaty

On October 4th, 2021, The Republic of Gabon became the 14th African State to deposit the instruments of ratification of the Treaty on the establishment of the African Medicine Agency (AMA Treaty) to the office of the Commission in Ethiopia. The country had signed and ratified the treaty couple on October 1st, 2021.

The deposit by Gabon 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.

AMA’s main function will be to enhance capacity of State Parties and AU recognized Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to regulate medical products in order to improve access to quality, safe and efficacious medical products on the continent. AMA will also promote and advocate for the adoption of the AU Model Law on medical products regulations in State Parties and RECs to facilitate regulatory and legal reforms at continental, regional and national levels.

To date, eighteen (18) member states have ratified the AMA Treaty and fourteen (14) 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.

Pending the deposit of the 15th instrument of ratification, the Commission has invited member states to submit proposals for the hosting of the Africa Medicines Agency Headquarters. The Commission has also further extended the deadline for submission of interest to host the AMA up to 15th October 2021, as per the ruling of the Permanent.

The African Union Commission encourages all its Member States to sign and ratify the Treaty for the establishment of AMA in the interest of public health, safety and security. The Treaty is available for signature at the Headquarters of the Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.