The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has made a landmark continental milestone for Kenya by having two of its experts sit in the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Technical Committees.
The appointments mark a significant milestone for Kenya in medicines regulation and regulatory harmonisation on the continent.
The appointments were announced during the first week of the Agency in Kigali, Rwanda with the theme “Building Africa’s Regulatory Future Together: From National Strength to Continental Impact. “Dr Ali Abdulahi Arale, Acting Director of Medical Products and Health Technologies. Dr Abwao has been appointed to the Technical Committee on Clinical Trials Oversight and Good Clinical Practice and elected Chairperson.
Dr Arale brings 25 years of experience, including 15 in medicines regulation with expertise in assessment of medicines and vaccines, GMP inspections, product registration, reliance, and emergency use authorisation.
Dr Abwao has more than 22 years’ experience in medicines regulation, including important technical contributions in the development of Kenya’s clinical trials regulation and established country system for handling clinical trials, post-market surveillance, pharmacovigilance, and system strengthening.
The Technical Committees provide independent technical advice on evaluation of medicines and other medical products and clinical trials.
Their work ensures evidence-based decisions, harmonisation, and strengthened regulation across the continent.
PPB congratulates both experts on their two-year terms and looks forward to their contribution to quality-assured, safe and efficacious medical products across Africa.