LANACOME, François Santé sign partnership to enhance quality.

The signing ceremony took place in Yaounde Friday, July 4. Speaking before the official signing, the Director General of LANACOME, Prof Rose Ngono Mballa Abondo, explained that the partnership is important as it seeks to ensure the safety and efficacy of locally produced medicines in Cameroon.

"It is with deep scientific conviction that we seal this strategic partnership, which is in reality an agreement to support François Santé in implementing Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Hygiene Practices, so that the products that this institution places on the market are of good quality to protect the health of our populations," Prof Rose Ngono Mballa stressed.

She further outlined the specific commitments undertaken by LANACOME within the framework of the agreement. 

She explained that LANACOME, as the reference body for quality control of medicines, agro-food, and related products, will assist François Santé Sarl in conducting quality studies on their products, helping them establish an internal control laboratory, providing training to their personnel, and monitoring the quality of their products according to agreed-upon schedules.

Prof Rose Ngono Mballa stated that LANACOME's role is not to hinder local producers but to guide them towards meeting national and international quality standards.

"LANACOME is not a counterweight for producers and promoters of Made in Cameroon. It draws the attention of manufacturers to guarantee the safety and conformity of the products they place on the national and international market," she affirmed.

Enter François Santé CEO

On behalf of François Santé Sarl, the President and CEO, Ekouma Ananga François Désiré expressed his company's gratitude and commitment to adhering to quality standards. 

While referencing repeated calls by the Head of State for Cameroonian youth to be bold, innovative, and entrepreneurial, he addressed past controversies by some who “wrongly” labeled François Santé Sarl as a "rebellious company" that resisted collaboration with the State.

"Through the signing of this agreement today, our company intends to demonstrate to national and international opinion its civic character, concerned with complying with the laws and regulations in force and thus re-establishing the truth," Ekouma Ananga stated.

He further highlighted the anticipated benefits of the partnership, noting that it will enable François Santé Sarl to benefit from LANACOME's expertise in quality control, to achieve international certification of their products. 

Ekouma Ananga also welcomed the continuous training of their staff in good laboratory practices, analytical techniques, and health risk management.

"François Santé Sarl undertakes to scrupulously respect all its obligations contained in the convention object of today's signing to ensure its full success, so that the public-private partnership may live, and so that Cameroon and its illustrious Head of State, His Excellency Paul Biya, may live," he concluded.

Both parties have expressed their optimism for a successful collaboration that contributes to the economic and commercial development of the country.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3497 of Tuesday July 08, 2025