2nd Meeting of the AMRH Partnership Platform on Regulatory Systems Strengthening and Harmonization Initiatives in Africa

The AMRH Partnership Platform has been established as a robust coordination mechanism to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the implementation of the medical products regulatory systems strengthening and harmonization agenda in Africa, through optimal coordination of the different partners and stakeholders providing regulatory support on the continent. The aim of the platform is to increase collaboration among stakeholders supporting regulatory systems development and implementation in Africa; foster mutual responsibility, accountability and shared impact; and ultimately minimize duplication and coordinate efforts at all levels of implementation.

The first meeting of the AMRH Steering Committee on Regulatory Systems Strengthening and Harmonization Initiatives in Africa convened on 4-5 September in 2017 at the NEPAD Agency Head Office in Johannesburg, South Africa, reviewed the proposal for establishment of the AMRH Partnership Platform (APP) as the Africa chapter of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Coalition of Interested Partners (CIP).

The main objective of the 1st meeting of the AMRH Partnership Platform for medical products regulatory systems strengthening and harmonization was to agree on operational principles and mechanisms for partners interested in supporting activities related to strengthening and harmonization of medical products’ regulatory systems in Africa, in order to ensure optimal coordination of the different partners and stakeholders providing regulatory support for the continent.

The specific objectives of the AMRH PP are to provide technical, financial and policy advocacy support by:

1. Assessing regulatory capacities using existing tools such as the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool to identify gaps.
2. Developing Institutional Development Plans (IDP), regional and continental harmonization programs to address identified gaps.
3. Facilitating effective coordination of partners and resources to ensure alignment.
4. Providing a forum for review of progress to ensure mutual accountability on implementation of programs.
5. Facilitating the convening of policy and decision-making platforms such as the Steering Committee, AMRC and relevant ministerial sessions.
6. Identifying gaps/needs and getting partners to support.

The AMRH Secretariat convened the 2^nd AMRH Partnership Platform (APP) Business Meeting, on the margins of the launch of the AMRH Week which took place on 12 December 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Expertise France is a member of APP and has therefore taken the opportunity to present MEDISAFE and to include its program of work into the more general work plan aiming at achieving harmonization.