EAC to harmonise drug registration

Intergration:improving public healthA new project that will see all East African Community member countries harmonise the medicine registration system is set to be launched soon.The project that will be launched at the end of this month in Arusha is aimed at improving public health by increasing rapid access to good quality, safe and effective medicines through reductions in the time taken to register essential medicines for the treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases.Speaking to The New Times about the new initiative, John Patrick Mwesigye of the pharmaceutical services in the Ministry of Health, expressed optimism in solving problems that member countries face in importing and exporting medicines.“We have been having different registration procedures in all countries and this has not only affected Rwandans but also other member countries. I, therefore, think we are going to benefit more if we harmonise the registration,” he said. He further mentioned that Rwanda and Burundi do not have National Medicine Regulatory Authorities, reiterating that introduction of the registration system would more especially benefit the country.Speaking ahead of the official launch, the EAC Secretary General, Dr. Richard Sezibera, explained that the regional project has been designed to support EAC Partner States to ensure the rapid availability of safe and effective medicines of assured quality, including life-saving treatments for priority diseases.“Countries may differ regarding registration systems, as all may not have the capacity to implement a comprehensive medicine evaluation and registration system. “It is important to note that the availability of affordable essential medicines can be improved through a simplified, open and transparent regulatory system,” he said.The project, that will cost USD10m, is part of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) Programme which came into being three years ago.The AMRH Programme aims to assure quality, efficacy and safety of medicines by collaborating with nine Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and 40 National Medicines Regulatory Authorities to create a simplified and transparent regulatory system.Over 80% of deaths from non-communicable diseases worldwide are estimated to occur in low- and middle-income countries.