Tunisia-Tunisia will not host the headquarters of the African Medicines Agency

The Executive Council of the African Union voted last Friday in Lusaka, Zambia, in favour of Rwanda to host the headquarters of the new African Medicines Agency. Tunisia presented, on April 12, 2022, its application file to the Commission of the African Union (AU) to host the headquarters of the African Medicines Agency (AMA).

Dr Souhail Alouini, the adviser to the World Health Organization (WHO), stated in a Facebook post that he is “saddened by the failure of our diplomacy”. The Treaty setting WADA was adopted in February 2019 by the 32nd Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, according to the AU.

It will be accountable for building the capacity of States and Regional Economic Communities in the regulation of medical products in order to facilitate access to quality, safe and effective medical products on the continent. The Agency should likewise promote the adoption and harmonization of regulatory policies and standards for medical products.