On 4 February 2026, IAPO delivered a statement on Agenda item 12 on substandard and falsified medical products at the 158th session of the WHO Executive Board on behalf of the Fight the Fakes Alliance, of which IFPMA is a member.

The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, on behalf of the Fight the Fakes Alliance, welcomes the 2025 discussions on the future of the Member State Mechanism on Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, including the recommendations arising from its evaluation under EB156.

We welcome the Mechanism’s proposal to adopt recommendation 1, Option B, and emphasise the importance of strengthening the involvement of technical experts and people with lived experience in its working groups. The inclusion of non-State actors brings specialised expertise, operational insight, and credibility, strengthening global efforts against falsified medicines.

We reiterate our call for WHO to continue its work in this area and reaffirm our readiness to support and engage with the Mechanism and its members.

Thank you.