SCOMRA 7: Is Africa Ready for a Unified Medical Regulatory System?

We recently had the privilege of attending the 7th Scientific Conference on Medical Product Regulation in Africa (SCOMRA), an event convened by AUDA-NEPAD, the African Medicines Agency (AMA), and key partners across the continent. The conference brought together an outstanding network of pharmaceutical innovators, regulators, manufacturers, clinicians, pharmacists, researchers, and legal professionals committed to strengthening Africa’s medical product landscape.

SCOMRA’s agenda underscored a truth we cannot ignore: robust medical product regulation is central to Africa’s health security, economic advancement, and scientific sovereignty. As the continent moves toward a harmonized regulatory ecosystem under the African Union’s vision, legal expertise will play an increasingly critical role. From compliance and regulatory alignment to intellectual property, clinical trials, technology transfer, and cross-border harmonization, Advocates stand at the intersection of law, science and public health — helping translate policy into practice and ensuring that innovation is both safe and sustainable.

At Oluoch Kimori Advocates, we are committed to being at the forefront of this transformation. We aim to serve as a leading legal resource for stakeholders navigating the evolving framework of medical product regulation and compliance mechanisms in Kenya and Africa. Our work is grounded in a deep appreciation of the African Union’s Agenda for medicines regulation and a belief that legal practitioners must actively shape the future of pharmaceutical governance, ethical research, and health-system innovation.

Attending SCOMRA reaffirmed our dedication to advancing medical law in Kenya and across the continent. As Africa steps into a new era of regulatory excellence, our firm stands ready — not only to advise, but to educate, champion, and support all actors invested in building a safer, stronger, and more self-reliant healthcare ecosystem.