By Baboloki Semele— In a decisive step towards strengthening national health systems and combating the growing threat of falsified and substandard medical products, The Gambia hosted a high-level Policy Advocacy Workshop from 15–17 July 2025 in Banjul. Convened by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in collaboration with the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and supported by global health nonprofit PATH, the workshop united a powerful coalition of stakeholders aiming to harmonize national regulatory frameworks with continental standards. The three-day event attracted the participation of members of Parliament, senior officials from the Office of the President, the Ministry of Health, and technical experts from the MCA. At its core, the workshop aimed to enhance regulatory awareness, build technical capacity, and catalyze the alignment of The Gambia’s laws with the African Union (AU) Model Law on Medical Products Regulation. A key priority was to accelerate The Gambia’s ratification of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) Treaty; an AU-led initiative to bolster regulatory harmonization and safeguard the health of African citizens. During the workshop, the AUDA-NEPAD’s African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) team and the MCA were granted an audience with Hon. Mod K. Ceesay, Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs. Discussions focused on the country’s vision for regulatory reform and the vital role of political leadership in aligning with continental regulatory standards.
“Policy advocacy is the bridge between ambition and action,” said Anthony Kapeta, Legal Officer at AUDA-NEPAD. “The Gambia’s engagement shows strong political will and a clear vision for aligning with continental priorities such as the AU Model Law and AMA. We as AMRH are very proud to support this journey.”
The Dangers of Inaction: A Public Health Crisis
Substandard and falsified medical products continue to be a silent epidemic across many African countries. These products, often containing incorrect doses, harmful ingredients, or no active ingredients at all pose severe threats to public health. They undermine treatment outcomes, contribute to drug resistance, and erode public trust in health systems. The absence of clear, harmonized policies and regulations provides fertile ground for criminal networks trafficking falsified medicines, particularly in countries with weak or outdated oversight structures as without rigorous laws that align with the AU Model Law, enforcement agencies face challenges in tracking and removing illicit medicines from the market, while legal loopholes allow perpetrators to evade punishment.
Scaling Up National Efforts
In his remarks, Mr. Essa Marenah, Acting Executive Director of the MCA, emphasized the agency’s recent progress and commitment to institutional growth. From 2023 to 2025, the MCA’s staff complement more than doubled from 23 to 59 personnel, an expansion praised by stakeholders as a sign of serious national investment in regulatory reform.
“This workshop marks a pivotal moment for The Gambia’s regulatory journey. Strengthening our advocacy capacity is essential not only for advancing the ratification of the AMA Treaty, but also for ensuring that our regulatory system can effectively protect public health,” said Marenah. “I am proud of the growth we achieved at MCA, and I remain committed to building an institution that is responsive, aligned with continental frameworks, and driven by excellence.”
The AMA Treaty, if ratified, will allow The Gambia to benefit from continent-wide regulatory convergence, information sharing, pooled resources, and joint assessments ensuring that only safe and effective medical products are accessible to the public. It will also bolster national capabilities to detect, intercept, and prosecute cases of medical product fraud.
Continental Momentum
This workshop in Banjul is part of AUDA-NEPAD’s broader push to operationalize the African Medicines Agency and harmonize regulatory environments across the continent. As more African nations align with the AU Model Law and ratify the AMA Treaty, the collective ability to prevent the circulation of falsified medical products is significantly enhanced. The Gambia’s active steps toward regulatory reform reflect growing recognition across the continent that strong policies are not optional but essential to safeguarding lives. As global health threats evolve and the complexity of medical supply chains increases, so too must the vigilance, collaboration, and legal frameworks that protect African citizens. With political will, regional support, and continental solidarity, The Gambia is positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s health security transformation.
