Mary Moehlmann joins technical consultation meeting for the 24 Medical Products for Regional Manufacture in Africa Initiative

Recognising the critical need to strengthen regional manufacturing capabilities for essential health products—including therapeutics, vaccines, diagnostics, and medical devices—the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) will convene a technical consultation meeting with key stakeholders as part of the ongoing 24 Medical Products for Regional Manufacture in Africa Initiative, under the broader Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa (PMPA). 

This meeting is a crucial component of the ongoing PMPA project, which aims to catalyse local production of essential medicines. The focus will be on reviewing and finalising the list of 24 priority health products for regional production, refining the selection criteria, and developing a roadmap for adoption by the African Union's Assembly of Heads of State and Government. These efforts are designed to improve public health outcomes, reduce dependence on imports, and stimulate job creation along the manufacturing value chain.  

Representing the Foundation, Mary will attend the meeting as a subject matter expert, drawing on findings from the 2022 Access to Medicine Index and the Generic & Biosimilar Medicines Programme: 2023 Company Profiles. Using this research, she will share insights into how companies are supporting local manufacturing within regional economic communities in Africa, provide examples of technology transfers on the continent, and identify priority diseases and products that can be pushed for local production. 

Mary’s contributions will aim to ensure that the priority health products list and the roadmap are comprehensive and effectively address the unique challenges and opportunities across the African continent. 

About the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) 

AUDA-NEPAD is the African Union's development agency, responsible for coordinating regional projects, providing technical and advisory support to member states, and fostering partnerships to drive Africa's development and integration efforts. For more information, click here. 

About the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa (PMPA) 

The PMPA, developed under NEPAD (now AUDA-NEPAD) and adopted in 2007, aims to boost local pharmaceutical production. Endorsed in 2012, the plan provides technical solutions to industry challenges, with the goal of improving public health by ensuring access to quality, affordable essential medicines while also fostering economic benefits through a sustainable, competitive, and self-reliant pharmaceutical industry in Africa. For more information, click here.