European experts meet with Afican regulators to discuss collaboration

Representatives from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) met with medicines regulators from Africa last week to discuss how to improve the availability of high quality, safe and effective medicines to patients in countries beyond Europe.

One of the tools discussed was the scientific assessment of medicines or vaccines for use outside the European Union that EMA can conduct in line with European legislation. These assessments are carried out in cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and aim to increase access by patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to high-quality, safe and effective medicines.

"Effective medicine regulation plays a crucial role in every health system to ensure that all medicines are safe, effective and meet approved standards,’ said EMA Executive Director Guido Rasi. "I am confident that by increasing our two-way dialogue and the information on regulatory tools available we can strengthen international collaboration and benefit patients."

The discussions took place at a workshop jointly organised by the (EMA) and the Maltese Presidency of the European Union, and brought together regulators from across the EU and Africa in Malta on 2-3 March.