UN Multi-Stakeholder Hearing on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPPR)
IFPMA statement at the UN Multi-Stakeholder Hearing on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPPR) in New York on 9 June.
We share the same objective: a world better prepared to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to pandemics. Industry is a core part of that system, engaging in strengthening the health of populations, developing vaccines and therapeutics, and scaling manufacturing and delivery of live-saving products.
The emergence of Hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks in recent weeks is the latest reminder of both the progress that has been made and of the gaps that remain. They highlight the practical challenges that still need to be addressed – for example, neither of these viruses was listed as a top R&D priority among public health experts.
Companies have a clear track record of voluntarily stepping up in health emergencies such as Ebola, Mpox, and COVID-19. As we are seeing now, companies have explored their pipelines, mobilized R&D, and are working with partners to advance solutions as rapidly as possible.
They do so because of a long-standing commitment to global health, reflected in their efforts to support equitable access to medical countermeasures through voluntary approaches such as partnerships, tiered pricing, licensing, and global collaboration.
But without advance preparedness, response efforts inevitably lose valuable time and outcomes worsen. We must improve the overall health of populations, as we know that a high burden of NCDs leads to more severe morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. The R&D pipelines for emerging infectious diseases vaccines and therapeutics are critically thin and must be expanded.
Strengthening the innovation ecosystem, including intellectual property, incentives and risk-sharing, and access to pathogens and data, is essential. Rapid and predictable access to pathogens and data underpins an effective response and depends on strong global collaboration that enables researchers and companies to engage early and at scale.
Ensuring the right enabling conditions across the response chain is equally critical:
- Predictable demand and financing, including early “day zero” funding and clear procurement pathways
- Regulatory reliance and harmonization, to accelerate approvals without duplication
- Strong health systems and delivery capacity, including primary care and immunization infrastructure
- Resilient supply chains and no trade barriers, to ensure countermeasures can be produced and delivered at scale
This is a complex and high-risk space. We need policies that support and facilitate companies’ engagement, rather than approaches that could discourage participation or slow down response when it matters most.
The pharmaceutical industry stands ready to continue partnering with governments, international organizations, and stakeholders to strengthen both the innovation ecosystem and the enabling conditions needed for effective pandemic preparedness and response.
We call on the UNGA to reinforce the political support and long-term investment needed to ensure we are better prepared in the future.
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.
