Kinshasa, February 4th, 2026 (CPA). -The determination to make the Congolese Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority (Acorep) a credible and independent institution based on international standards was expressed on Wednesday by its new chairman of the board of directors during the handover ceremony in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
« We will continue along this path to make Acorep a credible, independent, and effective regulatory institution that will be based on international standards, including good governance, compliance with procedures, etc. with the aim of contributing to national health security and universal health coverage, » said Professor Patrick Memvanga, the new chairman of the board of directors (PCA) of Acorep. For Prof. Memvanga, this ambition will require raising Acorep’s level of institutional maturity through the rigorous implementation of a clear strategic framework structured around five (5) major priorities and ten strategic areas, in order to guarantee an effective, transparent pharmaceutical regulatory system that is oriented toward the public interest. « Our mandate will focus on results rather than individuals (…) My mandate, Madam Chair of the Board of Directors (outgoing), will focus on consolidating what you have achieved. I am a trainer of trainers. As a university professor, I help to bring pharmacists to the market, whether in Kinshasa, Kisangani, Butembo, or Bukavu, and we have been following all the efforts that have been made since 2022, » he said. The new Chairman promised to work for the well-being of the population by focusing on the objectives of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and sustainable development, as well as the government’s priorities. To this end, he paid tribute to President Felix Tshisekedi for the trust placed in him, before inviting the members of the board of directors to work together to meet the challenges ahead.
New board chair encouraged to take on challenges
Francine Ekila, outgoing chair of the Acorep board of directors, encouraged her successor to maintain this momentum in order to lead the institution to full maturity and take on the challenges ahead. « The challenges that await us, that await you, dear Chair, are immense. As the Minister in charge of Health pointed out in one of his speeches (…) Nearly 60% of the medicines in circulation in the DRC are believed to be fake or counterfeit. This is a direct threat to the lives of our compatriots, to us (…)« , said Francine Ekila, outgoing chair of the board of directors. On this occasion, she urged her successor to be particularly attentive to the complaints and aspirations of the staff. In addition, the chief of staff to the Minister of Health, Romain Muboyayi, recalled that since his accession to the highest office, the President of the Republic has made the CSU a major political choice, a strong social commitment, and a requirement for social justice.