Access to safe, effective, and quality medicines and health technologies is a cornerstone of public health and Universal Health Coverage. In Angola, this goal is being advanced through the structured institutional strengthening of the Regulatory Agency for Medicines and Health Technologies (ARMED), with ongoing technical and financial support from the World Health Organization (WHO), co-financed by the European Union.
Since 2022, WHO has assisted ARMED in implementing its Institutional Development Plan (IDP), a strategic roadmap aimed at modernizing Angola’s regulatory system. The plan aligns national regulatory processes with internationally recognized standards for medicines and medical products, fostering greater consistency, transparency, and quality assurance in the health sector.
In September 2025, WHO conducted a three-week technical consultancy with ARMED to implement previous recommendations, monitor progress on key regulatory functions, provide staff training, and design a roadmap for the remainder of the year. The sessions were led by ARMED Deputy Director General Dr. José Lumbo and attended by senior staff, alongside WHO Representative in Angola, Dr. Indrajit Hazarika.
Angola has set an ambitious target to achieve level 3 regulatory maturity by 2027, a benchmark that ensures the country has effective mechanisms to evaluate, authorize, and monitor medicines and health technologies for quality, safety, and efficacy. Currently, only eight African countries have reached this level, and none are Portuguese-speaking, positioning Angola as a potential pioneer in the region.
Key priorities include strengthening national pharmaceutical policy, ensuring market compliance with international standards, enhancing the capacity of the National Laboratory for Quality Control of Medicines, reducing risks from counterfeit or substandard products, and improving timely access to essential and innovative health technologies. These measures will also support responses to epidemic outbreaks, chronic diseases, and other emerging health needs.
WHO emphasizes that a robust regulatory system directly impacts public trust and population health. Dr. Indrajit Hazarika noted that this initiative is a strategic step toward strengthening confidence in Angola’s health system and ensuring access to safe, effective medicines for all citizens.
Progress in this sector reinforces Angola’s leadership in the African health agenda and exemplifies resilience, political commitment, and regulatory innovation. Achieving level 3 regulatory maturity will mark a historic milestone, creating favorable conditions for investment, local pharmaceutical production, and sustainable, equitable health outcomes for the country and region.
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