On 22nd March, 2013, the United Republic of Tanzania in collaboration with the European Union and the World Health Organization signed a Tripartite Memorandum to improve pharmaceutical systems and access to quality medicines in the country. 
The signing ceremony held in Dar es Salaam was presided by the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Seif Rashid, the World Health Organization Representative, Dr. Rufaro Chatora, the Head of Operations in the Delegation of the European Union in Tanzania, Mr Eric Beaume, the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Regina Kikuli, Ministry of Health officials, WCO staff and members of the media.

In his speech, the European Union Representative highlighted that the agreement aims to support the implementation of activities outlined in the "Renewed EU/ACP/WHO Partnership: strengthening pharmaceutical systems and improving access to quality medicines in countries in Africa” in the country. He elaborated that the partnership is based on the Financing Agreement that has been signed by the European Commission and the Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the subsequent Contribution Agreement signed by the European Commission and the World Health Organization. He further stated that the European Union will grant this programme in Africa 9.8 million Euros approximately 20.5 billion Tanzanian shillings.

The WHO Representative in his remarks highlighted that the overall objective of this renewed Partnership is to contribute to the achievement of health-related MDGs and of universal health coverage in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries by improving availability, affordability and use of quality essential medicines. Dr. Chatora further stated that the partnership will focus on the implementation of national medicines policies, regulations and practices through multi- stakeholder policy dialogue. In his concluding remarks, he urged members of the media to play their role in raising awareness on the critical health issues in the community in order to advocate for actions that improve health, particularly among the most vulnerable in Tanzania. 
In his remarks the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare commended the commitment by the European Union and the World Health Organization in strengthening pharmaceutical systems and improving access to quality medicines in the country. He further went on to elaborate on the five (5) areas of work (or results areas) that will be addressed by the partnership to include:

• Improved availability and supply of essential medicines in national, regional and community health facilities in African ACP countries.
• Lowering medicines prices, increased affordability and advocacy for fair financing schemes for medicines to ensure sustainable and equitable access to medicines.
• Improved quality of medicines and reduced occurrence of substandard medicines and of medicines that do not meet safety standards.
• Improved medicines selection, prescribing, dispensing and use and strengthening capacity of health care providers.
• Improved access to reliable information for more transparency, accountability and efficiency of the pharmaceutical sector; formulation of evidence based policies and monitoring their implementation.

The Deputy Minister concluded his remarks by assuring the commitment by the government to ensure implementation of the partnership.