SOUTH AFRICA—The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has officially handed over equipment worth US$750,000 to South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to support its regulatory functions relating specifically to biopharmaceuticals manufacturing.
In April 2021, the African Union Heads of States established the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM).
PAVM is hosted by the Africa CDC to steer a bold goal that will enable the African vaccine manufacturing industry to develop, produce, and sustainably increase supply from less than one percent (1%), currently.
Moreover, under the PAVM, key enablers have been identified that need to be strengthened to achieve this bold goal.
Amongst others is the regulatory strengthening of the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) that must ensure the vaccines produced are safe and of good quality standards.
The Africa CDC is working with the African Union Development Agency -The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA NEPAD) to set priorities such as regulatory process harmonization.
Additionally, the partnership is engaging and strengthening National Regulatory Authorities directly, supporting and strengthening the Regional Centres of Regulatory Excellence (RCORE) platform to facilitate vaccine regulatory oversight, as manufacturing of health products expands in Africa.
The ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa CDC and Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, Chief Executive Officer, SAHPRA.
Dr. Semete-Makokotlela said that the donation was a proverbial breath of fresh air for SAHPRA and, more importantly, for the African continent.
“This stellar initiative will provide much needed impetus for SAHPRA to take bold steps to capacitate the authority and the continent in paving the way for renewed vigour and innovation on the continent,” indicated Dr Semete-Makokotlela.
Dr Kasey stressed that Africa CDC’s mission of safeguarding Africa’s health from disease threats such as pandemics would require viable and sustainable manufacturing of health products and technologies on the continent.
“To achieve this noble mission, National Regulatory Authorities are our key partners. Today’s ceremony marks an important step in our commitment to support African manufacturing to ensure safe and effective vaccines are produced on the continent,” Dr. Kaseya added.
Under the PAVM, SAHPRA is the first recipient of this support with a view of strengthening manufacturing in Africa.
In addition, the Africa CDC is working with four other NRAs to strengthen their capacities and capabilities to achieve the ambitious PAVM Goal, “Manufacturing 60% of vaccine needs on the continent by 2040.”
Africa CDC steering Africa towards Biopharmaceuticals
Moreover, the Africa CDC has also collaboration with Texas A&M University National Centre for Therapeutics Manufacturing (NCTM) supported by Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
The Africa CDC send a delegation from Africa to receive hands-on training for candidates from Africa in biopharmaceutical manufacturing in Texas, USA.
The hands-on training follows the call for applications launched earlier this year, and candidates were drawn from different manufacturers and National Regulatory Authoritiess in Africa.
Part of the Africa CDC’s strategy to develop a viable and sustainable African Vaccine Manufacturing and is to invest in Talent Development to equip candidates with knowledge and technical skills, thus addressing the scarcity observed currently.
This hands-on training is the first among many to come and Africa CDC will collaborate with key partners such as NCTM and BARDA for more such opportunities in order to develop talent.
Moreover, the development of talent at NRAs will serve the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing goal:” Manufacturing 60
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