SAHPRA to increase regulatory capacity with Africa CDC donation

To support SAHPRA’s regulatory functions relating to vaccine manufacturing, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) recently handed over equipment worth $750 000 to the authority.

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 1% currently. Under the PAVM, key enablers have been identified which need to be strengthened to achieve the goal. Amongst others is the regulatory strengthening of the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), which must ensure the vaccines produced are safe and of good quality standards. 

The Africa CDC worked with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) to set priorities such as regulatory process harmonisation, engaging with and strengthening NRAs directly, and to support and strengthen 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. 

Paving the way for African innovation

“This donation is 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,” indicates Dr Semete-Makokotlela. 

“Africa CDC’s mission of safeguarding Africa’s health from disease threats such as pandemics will 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”, stressed Dr Kaseya. 

“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,” he further added. 

Under the PAVM, SAHPRA is the first recipient of this support with a view to 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”.