The 8th edition of the Galien Forum Africa convened in Dakar, Senegal, from October 28 to 31, 2025, with the overarching theme, "Health Sovereignty: An Imperative for Africa." This landmark event assembled influential policy leaders, technical experts, and innovators committed to accelerating progress towards Africa’s health autonomy.

Drug Sovereignty in Africa Session

On October 31, Prof. Paul Lalvani, Founder and Executive Director of Empower School of Health, co-moderated the pivotal session on "Drug Sovereignty in Africa" with H.E. Michel Sidibé , African Union Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency. The discussion illuminated Africa’s strategic advances and ongoing challenges in local drug production, regulatory harmonization, and supply chain resilience.

Key Highlights

• African experts and officials addressed good manufacturing practices, the need for robust and harmonized regulatory frameworks, and pathways to quality assurance in pharmaceutical production.
• The session also spotlighted market supply challenges, the critical contribution of private sector players, and the role of the African Pharmacopoeia in strengthening medicines standards.
• Insights shared point to actionable lessons from successful country initiatives, setting the stage for collaborative partnerships and policy innovation in Africa’s quest for health sovereignty.

This dynamic dialogue reaffirmed the region’s collective vision to build self-sufficient, high-quality, and regulated pharmaceutical industries advancing equitable access to health for all Africans.

To gain the skills and knowledge essential for advancing drug sovereignty and pharmaceutical management in Africa, consider enrolling in Empower School of Health’s Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Management This program equips healthcare professionals and leaders with practical expertise to drive regulatory harmonization, quality assurance, and supply chain strengthening in Africa’s pharmaceutical sector.