Enabel, Belgian Development Agency, has partnered with Quamed, a Belgian-based not-for-profit association with an objective to improve access to quality medicines, to support the Rwanda FDA. This partnership builds on an already existing program between Enabel and Rwanda Food and Drug Authority, funded by the European Union with the aim of establishing a laboratory information Management system that is fit for purpose.
Through the new partnership with Quamed, Enabel will deploy world-class experts to provide hands-on mentorship to the Rwanda FDA team, set up best practice quality assurance procedures and implement a capacity building plan to reach a high level of operational capacity. Rwanda FDA aims to reach a maturity level 3 certification as defined by the World Health Organization, which is a requirement to be able to provide regulatory oversight for vaccine manufacturing.
Under the leadership of Rwanda Food and Drug Authority, this partnership was brought together in a very short time, responding to a pressing need to reduce dependency from imported pharmaceuticals and global supply chain constraints. This will also encourage investors and boost the economy as a new industry starts to develop in Rwanda. As an example, BioNTech is currently preparing to launch mRNA vaccine production in the country, which will pave the way for a rapid growth in this area.
Quamed brings the right expertise at the right time and one can expect a rapid evolution at Rwanda FDA. In addition, future new projects include an upcoming EU-funded project that will be implemented by Enabel to further enhance the support to Rwanda FDA. This will include but not limited to digitalization, products assessment and market authorization, post-market surveillance and pharmacovigilance to quality, ensure safe and efficacious medical products in the country.
This new partnership is in line with the Belgo-Rwanda cooperation agreement that mainly focuses on Health, Agriculture, urbanization and public finance management.
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