The 7th Biennial Scientific Conference on Medical Product Regulation in Africa (SCOMRA) concluded in Mombasa on Thursday, with participants unanimously endorsing the Republic of Senegal to host the 8th SCOMRA convention, slated for November 2027.
Themed: Regulatory Harmonisation – Unlocking Africa’s Potential in Health Product Manufacturing and Trade, the conference focused on various critical topics in the pharmaceutical sector, such as how to
counter substandard and falsified medical
products, regulation for
emergencies and
public health priorities, alongside clinical trials and global lessons in
regulatory preparedness.
In his closing remarks, Pharmacy and Poisons Board Chairperson Dr John M Munyu said the discussions suggested crucial ways of improving product quality, registration and access.
“We have held meaningful discussions on strengthening regulatory systems, advancing reliance, and accelerating access to quality, safe, and effective medical products in Africa,” he said.
Dr Munyu also described the conference as insightful, saying the outcome of plenary deliberations, including the continental pilot on listing of medicines, digital transformation, post-market surveillance, and capacity building, has provided practical paths for implementation.
The PPB Chair commended the African Union, AUDA-NEPAD, Africa Medical Agency and other development partners and industry stakeholders for their continued commitment to the Africa Medical Regulatory Harmonisation agenda.
“The spirit of partnership and collective responsibility demonstrated here reaffirms our shared goal: a stronger, more harmonised, and more responsive regulatory ecosystem for Africa,” Dr Munyu stated.
He emphasised that the recommendations proposed by participants will guide the next biennium, where much considerations will oscillate around operationalisation of the Africa Medical Agency as well as scaling up of continental regulatory initiatives.
“I urge all Member States, Heads of Agencies, and technical teams to take forward the actions agreed here with renewed energy and urgency”, stated the PPB Chair.
The conference brought together policymakers, regulators, researchers, academia, manufacturers, and development partners from across Africa and globally.
The aim was to discuss advances in regulatory science and reflect on Africa’s progress in strengthening and harmonising medical product regulation.
Munyu thanked delegates, regulators, partners and industry stakeholders for three days of active engagement in Mombasa — a city he described as a warm and inspiring host for continental dialogue.
He highlighted the depth of discussions held throughout the meeting, noting significant progress on regulatory systems strengthening, reliance pathways, and expanding access to quality, safe, and effective medical products.
Present at the event were the Africa Medicines Agency Director General Dr Delese Darko, Representatives from the World Health Organization and other senior players in the Pharmaceutical sector drawn from Africa and other global nations.