WHO Supports Angola in Strengthening Medicines and Health Technologies Regulation
The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting Angola in strengthening the regulation of medicines and health technologies, a crucial step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and ensuring public confidence in the health system.
Working in partnership with Angola’s Regulatory Agency for Medicines and Health Technologies (ARMED) and co-financed by the European Union, the WHO has provided technical and financial assistance since 2022 for the implementation of ARMED’s Institutional Development Plan (IDP). This strategic plan is modernising the national regulatory framework, aligning it with international standards and best practices.
In September, international technical consultants deployed by the WHO worked alongside ARMED for three weeks to review the implementation of previous recommendations, monitor progress, conduct training, and design a roadmap for the remainder of the year. The process culminated in a feedback session led by ARMED Deputy Director General, Dr José Lumbo, attended by senior managers and the WHO Representative in Angola, Dr Indrajit Hazarika.
Angola has set an ambitious target to reach level 3 regulatory maturity by 2027. This level signifies a fully functional system capable of evaluating, authorising, and monitoring medicines and health technologies for quality, safety, and efficacy. Only eight African countries have achieved this milestone to date, none of them Portuguese-speaking, positioning Angola to become a pioneer within the Lusophone world.
Key priorities include strengthening pharmaceutical policy, enhancing transparency in decision-making, upgrading the National Laboratory for Quality Control of Medicines, and combating counterfeit or substandard products. Ensuring access to safe, effective, and innovative health technologies will also better equip Angola to respond to epidemics, chronic diseases, and other emerging health needs.
Dr Hazarika emphasised the importance of the reforms: “A robust regulatory system is essential to ensure that all citizens have access to safe and effective medicines. This is a strategic step towards strengthening Angolans’ confidence in the health system.”
