Ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of pharmaceutical products is a cornerstone of public health. To meet these high standards, innovative multinational pharmaceutical companies perform rigorous batch release testing for every product, following internationally recognized protocols and approved specifications.

However, countries may require additional in-country testing by their National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) or National Control Laboratories (NCLs), even for medicines that have already passed stringent international quality checks. While this practice reflects a commitment to local oversight, it also introduces important questions around efficiency, duplication, and access.

In collaboration with LEEM and LIPA, IFPMA conducted a survey of eight multinational pharmaceutical companies between November 2024 and January 2025 to understand the samples requirements across 17 Africa countries. This infographic explores the current landscape of sample requests and in-country testing requirements, helping to inform more efficient regulatory pathways and support timely access to quality medicines across the region.

The infographic is available in English and French.