Research-based Pharma welcomes outcome on vaccines, fake - and affordable - medicines diseases at WHA

As one of the 189 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), and in line with WHO principles governing relations with NGOs, representatives of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) were present to listen to the proceedings of the 64th World Health Assembly (WHA), which concluded yesterday in Geneva, Switzerland (See also separate story today on consumer group HAI’s take on the meeting).

The IFPMA says it followed with particular interest decisions made by member governments on pandemic influenza preparedness and fake medical products. The WHA decisions represent an important milestone in influenza pandemic preparedness and will improve influenza virus sharing and access to vaccines, but areas remain for improvement especially in terms of sustaining the appropriate production capacity which may still be insufficient for global populations in the future. The decisions taken on fake medicines provides a viable basis to build on existing work; it remains however in the longer term vital to establish a platform for international collaboration to protect patients from the dangers of fake medicines.

The WHA agreed on the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, the culmination of four years of negotiation, which lays the groundwork for better preparedness. The research-based pharmaceutical industry commends the World Health Assembly’s decision to adopt the PIP Framework and sees it as a unique solution in protecting the world against future pandemic influenza outbreaks. The commitments represent a significant contribution from IFPMA members to global preparedness and should be built upon by other stakeholders. The next phase is to ensure the implementation of the agreement. IFPMA members believe it is crucial that any implementation process continues to allow for rapid access to pandemic viruses and for benefits to be allocated to those countries most in need.