Kenya secures key African medicines regulation roles as two PPB experts appointed

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 7-Kenya has secured two positions on the African Medicines Agency (AMA) technical committees, with one of its regulatory experts elected to chair a committee responsible for overseeing clinical trials and Good Clinical Practice.

The appointments of two officials from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) strengthen Kenya’s representation in continental efforts to harmonise medicines regulation and improve access to safe and quality-assured medical products.

Dr Ali Abdulahi Arale, Acting Director of Medical Products and Health Technologies at PPB, was appointed to the Technical Committee on Evaluation of Medicines, Vaccines and Biologicals.

Edward Abwao was appointed to the Technical Committee on Clinical Trials Oversight and Good Clinical Practice, where he was also elected chairperson.

“The appointments were announced during the Agency’s inaugural week in Kigali, Rwanda, held under the theme “Building Africa’s Regulatory Future Together: From National Strength to Continental Impact,” PPB said.

According to PPB, the appointments recognize the experience of Kenya’s medicines regulators and strengthen the country’s contribution to scientific and regulatory decision-making across Africa.

Dr Arale brings more than 25 years of professional experience, including 15 years in medicines regulation.

His expertise covers the assessment of medicines and vaccines, regulatory inspections, Good Manufacturing Practice, health product registration, and emergency use authorization.

Abwao has more than 22 years of experience in medicines regulation and contributed to the development and establishment of Kenya’s clinical trials regulatory framework.

His areas of expertise include clinical trials oversight, post-marketing surveillance, pharmacovigilance and strengthening regulatory systems.

The two-year appointments place the Kenyan experts in committees that provide independent scientific advice to the continental agency on the evaluation of medical products and oversight of clinical trials.

“Their participation will strengthen continental regulatory cooperation, promote scientific excellence and contribute to improved access to quality-assured, safe and efficacious medical products across Africa,” PPB said.

Established under the African Medicines Agency Treaty, the technical committees support evidence-based regulatory decisions and the harmonisation of standards among African countries.

The Committee on Evaluation of Medicines, Vaccines and Biologicals focuses on the scientific assessment of medical products, while the Committee on Clinical Trials Oversight and Good Clinical Practice provides technical guidance on clinical research standards and oversight.

PPB said the appointments would strengthen Kenya’s contribution to building more effective and coordinated medicines regulatory systems across the continent.

​Bruhan Makong is a Senior News Reporter for Capital FM in Nairobi, covering diplomacy, foreign policy, national security, climate, and human rights across East Africa and the wider region.