Kenya has recorded measurable progress in strengthening the safety monitoring of health products following sustained collaboration between the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) under the AU-3S Programme.
The gains are anchored on a Sub-Delegation Agreement operationalised in November 2021, which has enhanced the country’s pharmacovigilance system.
The improvements have been driven by targeted capacity building, improved safety surveillance, and expanded knowledge-sharing across African regulatory authorities.
The partnership has also strengthened coordination and technical capacity within the country’s regulatory framework.
This has positioned Kenya to more effectively detect, assess and respond to safety concerns related to medicines and other health products.
During an engagement held on Thursday, Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Ahmed Mohamed commended AUDA-NEPAD for its continued support.
He noted that the collaboration has played a key role in advancing regulatory systems in the country.
He noted that the gains have enhanced the country’s pharmacovigilance system through targeted capacity building, improved safety surveillance, and expanded knowledge-sharing across African regulatory authorities.
Dr Mohamed also reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to sustaining the progress achieved through the partnership.
The partnership has also strengthened coordination and technical capacity, positioning Kenya to more effectively detect, assess and respond to safety concerns related to medicines and other health products.
He further emphasised the Board’s focus on safeguarding public health through the continued strengthening of safety monitoring systems.
At the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government in Nouakchott, Mauritania, June 2018, a decision was taken to transform the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency into the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD).
The establishment of AUDA-NEPAD is part of the global reforms geared at improving the Union’s impact and operational efficiency.
The mandate of AUDA-NEPAD is to coordinate and Execute priority regional and continental projects to promote regional integration towards the accelerated realisation of Agenda 2063.
It is also mandated to strengthen capacity of African Union Member States and regional bodies, advance knowledge-based advisory support, undertake the full range of resource mobilisation and serve as the continent’s technical interface with all Africa’s development stakeholders and development partners.