The 7th Biennial Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa (SCoMRA VII) closed on Thursday with a call for accelerated action toward a stronger, more harmonised regulatory ecosystem across the continent.
Delivering the closing remarks, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) chairman Dr John 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.
Dr Munyu 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.
He pointed to insights from key thematic sessions — including the continental pilot on medicines listing, digital transformation, post-market surveillance, and capacity building — as providing “practical pathways for implementation.”
He commended the African Union, AUDA-NEPAD, AMA, Regional Economic Communities, National Medicines Regulatory Authorities, development partners, and industry stakeholders for their continued commitment to the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) agenda.
“The spirit of partnership and collective responsibility demonstrated here reaffirms our shared goal of a stronger, more harmonised, and more responsive regulatory ecosystem for Africa,” he said.
Dr Munyu noted that the recommendations from SCoMRA VII will guide continental action for the next two years as Africa moves towards full operationalisation of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) and the scaling up of key regulatory initiatives.
He urged Member States, Heads of Agencies, and technical teams to take forward commitments made at the meeting “with renewed energy and urgency.”
The PPB Chair extended special appreciation to the Organising Committee, rapporteurs, moderators, and session chairs for ensuring a smooth and impactful conference, and thanked the Government of Kenya and PPB for exceptional hospitality and logistical support.
“As we close, let us carry forward the momentum, unity, and innovation showcased in Mombasa,” Dr Munyu said, before wishing delegates safe travels and expressing anticipation for the 8th Biennial SCoMRA Meeting in Senegal.
The three-day conference was hosted by the Kenyan Government, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Union Development Agency—NEPAD (AUDA—NEPAD), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners.
It was held under the theme, ‘Regulatory harmonisation: Unlocking Africa’s potential in health product manufacturing and trade’.
It 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.