Accessibility to quality medicine a challenge in West Africa - Deputy Health Minister

The Deputy Minister of Health and MP for Bibiani Anwhiaso Bekwai constituency, Hon. Kingsley Aboagye Gyedu has revealed accessibility to quality medicine in West African sub-region still remains a major concern despite the concerted effort by government and development partners.

He said assessment by New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) and West Africa Health Organization (WAHO) in 2011 revealed that the medicine regulatory systems in the sub-Saharan African countries are affected by fragmented legal framework, limited autonomy, and lack of sustainable funding, poor infrastructure and institutional capacity to meet the requirement of the World Health Organization (WHO).

He was speaking at the launch of ECOWAS Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Project.

He further added, the quality of life of people is important and it is dependent on the quality of drugs people take and implored the regulatory agencies to have their capacities built.