Fight against fake medicines: strengthened commitment of the Republic of Congo

At the international level, the meeting focused on the forthcoming signature of the Council of Europe's MEDICRIME Convention by the Republic of Congo, and on the signature and ratification of the treaty establishing the African Medicines Agency (AMA). Mr. Michel Sidibé, the African Union's Special Envoy for the AMA, was recently in Brazzaville for talks on this subject with the Congolese Head of State. The Political Declaration of the Lomé Initiative provides for the signature of these two fundamental international texts to ensure the fight against trafficking medicines.

The Minister and Chief Executive also agreed on the Initiative's 2021-2024 roadmap, which aims to develop and implement national plans to combat counterfeit and substandard medicines, tailored to the needs of each committed country. The working version of the 2021-2024 strategic document, currently being prepared in conjunction with Prof. Moustafa Mijiyawa, Togo's Minister of Health and Political Coordinator of the Lomé Initiative, will be shared with all stakeholders in September, to be enriched before its deployment.

Mr. Richard Amalvy also met Dr. Lucien Manga, WHO Resident Representative in Congo, to share the same information on the follow-up to the Lomé Initiative. The meeting confirmed the excellent collaboration between WHO and the Foundation, at national, regional and international levels.