IFPMA statement at the 69th session of the WHO EMRO committee on agenda item EM/RC69/14
IFPMA welcomes the opportunity to provide comments in relation to this agenda item. The global community needs to look ahead to how it can learn from current experience of COVID-19 and design a new global architecture for Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience.
The IFPMA Covid-19 Lessons Learned report highlights some of the key factors that need to be addressed, including: that swift pathogen surveillance and sharing, an enabling innovation ecosystem, and regulatory agility are among the lessons that must be preserved for future ability to fight against unknown diseases. The most important reflection from the report is that we must redouble collective efforts to achieve health equity, while ensuring health systems and delivery infrastructure are strengthened.
These learnings have resulted in our industry tabling the Berlin Declaration, which proposes a collaborative solution to be discussed with G7 and G20 governments for more equitable rollout of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for future pandemics. In concrete terms, industry commits to setting aside vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics specifically for priority populations in low-income countries at the outset of a future pandemic.
As discussions continue how to strengthen health emergency preparedness, we must bear in mind that any future global health architecture must acknowledge a multistakeholder structure, including industry, public agencies, multilateral organizations, financial institutions, governments, and philanthropic organizations. This is the only viable solution to managing pandemic crises.
About IFPMA
IFPMA represents the innovative pharmaceutical industry at the international level, engaging in official relations with the United Nations and multilateral organizations. Our vision is to ensure that scientific progress translates into the next generation of medicines and vaccines that deliver a healthier future for people everywhere.
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To achieve this, we act as a trusted partner, bringing our members' expertise to champion pharmaceutical innovation, drive policy that supports the research, development, and delivery of health technologies, and create sustainable solutions that advance global health.
