English
EspañolAMATA launches the “African Meds Agency NOW” campaign!
The African Medicines Agency Treaty Alliance (AMATA) has today, 13 February 2025, launched the "African Meds Agency NOW" campaign online at the African Union Summit!
About the campaign
The #AfricanMedsAgencyNOW campaign calls on the African Union and all African Member States to fully activate the African Medicines Agency (AMA) to ensure timely access to quality, safe and effective medicines for all people in Africa. The campaign aims to highlight the urgent problem of weak systems for regulating medicines and medical devices in Africa. This situation allows poor-quality and falsified medicines to spread and put people’s health at risk.
The campaign aims to create maximum buzz online and build significant momentum from 13–16 February and will continue to be active after the Africa Union Summit – with other planned activities at key events.
AMATA needs your full support to maximise the campaign’s reach. With leaders gathering at the African Union, this is a critical opportunity to unite and call for the rapid ratification of the AMA Treaty. We invite you to consider joining the campaign by amplifying the messages across all your digital channels, ensuring we are heard loud and clear during these crucial days!
To help you engage a broader audience, several campaign resources are available in English, French, Portuguese and Arabic.
All the campaign assets are described in the Campaign Action Pack, a detailed guide for all supporters on what the campaign is and how to implement it in your networks/channels. By consulting this document, you can already begin to take action!
Campaign Resources
Campaign Action Pack - English
Campaign Action Pack - Portuguese
All campaign assets in English, French, Portuguese and Arabic are also available to download here.
5 ways to get involved in #AfricanMedsAgencyNOW!
AMATA needs the widest support possible to amplify the reach of this campaign by mobilising its networks. The success of this initiative depends on building a strong community of supporters who can take meaningful action.
Get involved by:
1. Mobilising your network
Make sure your contacts know about the #AfricanMedsAgencyNOW campaign. Send them a quick message on what the campaign is about by using the launch email template in the Action Pack.
2. Spread the word by announcing the campaign launch on social media
Announce the campaign launch on your social media accounts by using the suggested social media posts – remember to use the #AfricanMedsAgencyNOW when posting.
Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, repost our messages and join the buzz on social media.
3. Help demystify the African Medicines Agency (AMA) by sharing the key message assets on social media to shine a spotlight on what AMA is and its benefits.
4. Create a Quote Card for social media
Tell the world why you are supporting the campaign by creating your own quote card using the existing template highlighting why African Union Member States must make AMA a reality now!
5. Share the National Call to Action cards on social media directly targeting your government and call on them to take action and make the African Medicines Agency a reality.
The activities above are described in detail in the Campaign Action Pack which is a detailed guide for all supporters on what the campaign is and how to implement it in your networks/channels. By consulting this document, you can already begin to take action!
Who is behind the campaign?
The African Medicines Agency Treaty Alliance (AMATA), a multi-stakeholder alliance comprised of patient organisations, healthcare professional associations, academia, research bodies and industry partners, is driving this campaign. AMATA was set up to advocate for the ratification and implementation of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty and for meaningful engagement with patients and other relevant parties, in all aspects of the Agency framework. IAPO is a proud member of AMATA’s steering committee and serves as the secretariat.
About the African Medicines Agency
The AMA was established as a continental regulatory body to simplify medicine regulations across Africa, ensuring everyone can get safe, effective, and high-quality medicines on time. Although the treaty for the AMA’s establishment was adopted by the African Union Assembly in 2019 and officially ratified in 2021, many countries are yet to sign and ratify the treaty – thirty-three (33) AU Member States have signed the AMA Treaty while twenty-six (27) have ratified and deposited the legal instrument of ratification at the AU Commission. In addition to this, efforts to make the agency fully operational have largely stalled. With public health emergencies on our doorsteps, for example, Covid-19 and the recent Mpox outbreak, we cannot wait. Taking control of our medicines by making the AMA fully active will ensure African people are safe and boost African economies.
The #AfricanMedsAgencyNOW campaign is a call to action for the African Union and its Member States to expedite the process and make the AMA a reality now!
