NAIROBI, Kenya - The African Union (AU), alongside international partners, has officially launched a new continental body to harmonise the regulation of veterinary medicines, a critical move to protect Africa's livestock sector from the pervasive threats of counterfeit drugs and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Pan-African Regulatory Authorities Network for Veterinary Products (PARAN-VPs) was endorsed on Thursday, November 20, 2025, following a three-day consultative meeting in Nairobi.

The initiative is spearheaded by the AU's Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the Pan African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (AU-PANVAC), with significant support from the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the UK's Veterinary Medicines Directorate (UK VMD). Over the next two years, these partners will develop the network's governance structure, terms of reference, and a clear implementation roadmap.

Economic Imperative for Kenya and Africa

The livestock sector is a cornerstone of the continent's economy, supporting over 350 million people. In Kenya, its economic significance is particularly pronounced, contributing approximately 12 percent to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 42 percent of the agricultural GDP. However, this vital sector loses an estimated USD 4 billion annually in sub-Saharan Africa due to poor animal health, a problem exacerbated by weak access to quality vaccines and medicines.

Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, stated during the Nairobi meeting that fragmented regulatory systems, porous borders, and varying national capacities have created an environment where substandard and falsified veterinary products thrive. This not only undermines animal health and productivity but also poses a direct threat to food security and the livelihoods of millions.

Confronting Counterfeits and Antimicrobial Resistance

A major impetus for the creation of PARAN-VPs is the escalating crisis of antimicrobial resistance, which is largely driven by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in livestock. Weak regulations have led to a proliferation of poor-quality products, forcing farmers to administer incorrect dosages and contributing to the rise of drug-resistant pathogens that can be transmitted to humans. This poses a significant public health risk across the continent.

Emily Muema, the Acting CEO of Kenya's Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), highlighted the challenge of porous borders, which renders national regulations insufficient. "A harmonised regulatory framework will ensure that even if a product enters the country through the back door, it is still safe, efficacious, and of good quality," she noted. The dependence on imported medicines further exposes the continent to supply chain vulnerabilities and counterfeit products.

A Harmonised Path Forward

The newly formed PARAN-VPs aims to create a unified platform for aligning standards, sharing critical information, and coordinating regulatory activities among AU member states. The network will focus on developing harmonised guidelines, strengthening the capacity of national regulatory authorities, and coordinating quality control and surveillance efforts. This collaborative approach is expected to make the market more predictable and attractive for investment in local manufacturing, ultimately lowering the cost of veterinary products for farmers.

This initiative builds on previous efforts, such as the East African Community's Mutual Recognition Procedure, which has worked to simplify drug registration across member states. The successful harmonisation of registration requirements for Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) vaccines earlier this year serves as a potent example of the benefits of a coordinated continental strategy. PPR, a highly contagious disease affecting sheep and goats, is a major focus of a global eradication campaign aiming for success by 2030.

Stakeholders, including heads of national regulatory authorities and chief veterinary officers from across Africa, have been invited to contribute to the network's implementation roadmap, signaling a collaborative push towards a safer and more productive livestock sector for the entire continent.