East African Community Pharmaceuticals Bill, 2019 introduced by Hon Francine Rutazana will see access to essential medicines and promotion of the local pharmaceutical industry.
The East African Legislative Assembly supported that the Bill will also regulate good manufacturing practices and quality standards and ensures the mutual recognition of registration of medicines.
The mover of the motion said reliable access to affordable and quality assured medicines in East Africa remains a huge challenge since citizens still pay directly for many medicines in the Community.
Contributing to the motion, Hon Gai Deng said ensuring access to medication was a key objective for sustainable development.
She remarked that despite huge advances in Universal Health Access, there are still major discrepancies with regards to regulation and access.
Hon Fatuma Ndangiza said the the Bill is timely and the promotion of access to medicines would enable the EAC populace to be healthy.
She lauded the need for providing preferential treatment to local pharmaceuticals as only 30 percent of the market demand was satisfied by the local production.
‘We are losing out on jobs and employment opportunities and industrialization can be boosted by enhancing local production’, Hon Ndangiza said.
The legislator also called for enhancing of the regulatory framework to ensure its realization.
Other Members who supported the formulation of the Bill were Hon Dr Woda Jeremiah Odok, Hon Abdikadir Aden and Hon Dr Gabriel Alaak.