WHO, UNICEF, Pharma Meet On Supply Chains And Medicines Access

The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and member companies of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) will meet this week at WHO in Geneva to discuss global and regional supply chain strategies and initiatives related to global health.

The event, titled, “Access to medicines for the 1 billion: A supply chain consultation by WHO/UNICEF/IFPMA,” will take place on 23-24 August.

According to the agenda [pdf] for the event, senior officials from WHO, UNICEF and IFPMA will make opening remarks, followed by sessions on “Insight on supply chain initiatives” (including a full panel from industry), “Recognizing critical gaps in supply chain in the context of access to medicines,”  a session with working groups on “Potential solutions,” and a tentative session on “Data quality and availability.”

During the insight discussions, representatives from governments such as Scotland, Armenia, the Philippines, Mozambique are expected to speak, followed by panellists from groups such as the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, GDF, ARC, UNICEF, and People that Deliver.

Industry panellists may include representatives from Roche, Merck, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, Takeda, and Pfizer.

It does not appear from that agenda that any nongovernmental groups or health advocates will be involved in the event.

At press time, it was not clear if the event will be open to media.

 

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