Ingentium’s Contribution to Advancing Veterinary Medicine Regulation in Africa

The Context

Ingentium was commissioned in 2019 by the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory standards and systems governing the registration and sale of veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) across 28 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The goal was to gain a better understanding of existing strengths and constraints within national regulatory systems and to explore the possible opportunities for harmonisation and legislative alignment across the region. This project was part of a broader programme aimed at supporting regional improvements in VMP regulation and to present a roadmap for future interventions that strengthen the guidelines, practices, and policies surrounding animal health products in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Our Approach

We carried out a detailed gap analysis on the regulatory standards and governance structures. This included a review on relevant policies and legislation alongside engagement with senior officials. The methodology combined both desk-based reviews of the relevant legislation, guidelines and policies alongside multilingual questionnaires (English, French and Arabic). Additionally, interviews with key informants and stakeholders were held involving the various regulatory frameworks of the target countries.

The Outcome

The project achieved several key successes, most notably generating valuable, first of its kind, insights into the regulatory environment of 28 diverse countries revealing strengths, national requirements and challenges.  Our findings were structured to be both standardised and quantifiable in nature highlighting actionable opportunities for future alignment and improvement across the region.

Findings from our analysis make up part of those published by the VMD in the publication “Veterinary Medicinal Product Regulation in Sub-Saharan Africa” (Frontiers in Veterinary Science, May 2025). The article outlines barriers to effective regulation and identifies opportunities for reform through regional collaboration, regulatory harmonisation, and alignment with international standards.

Read the full article here.