Countries of the Americas agree on measures to encourage innovation and regional production of health technologies – PAHO/WHO

Washington, DC, October 3, 2024 (PAHO) – High health authorities in the Americas agreed today on a resolution to grant greater flexibility to the Regional Revolving Funds of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to accelerate access to health technologies . These measures are designed to boost self-sufficiency through regional production of health supplies and encourage innovation in response to emergencies and outbreaks.

The resolution stipulates that a part of the capital raised by the Regional Revolving Funds will be used to encourage local production and innovation projects. This includes establishing supply agreements that ensure rapid access to medical supplies, thereby improving emergency response capacity. In addition, it contemplates the creation of a regional reserve of critical medicines to mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions and reduce transportation costs, particularly for small island states.

These actions arise in response to the new strategic priorities of the countries and territories of the Americas following the COVID-19 pandemic, providing regional producers with a solid foundation to produce medicines, vaccines and other health technologies.

“Lessons learned from the pandemic show us that supporting regional production is essential to building a more resilient region and fostering economic growth. This support should not be limited to times of crisis, but should be continuous to ensure long-term sustainability,” said Santiago Cornejo, Executive Manager of PAHO Regional Revolving Funds.

PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds already consolidate the needs for vaccines and other essential medical supplies and equipment of 42 countries in the region, benefiting local and global producers by offering predictable production demand during a given year. This mechanism, created 45 years ago, serves as a model for other regions seeking to replicate these benefits, such as Africa and the Middle East.

PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, which include the Revolving Fund for Access to Vaccines and the Strategic Fund for Health Supplies, are part of the technical cooperation that PAHO offers to its Member States. With more than 60 years of combined experience, countries in the region can access essential public health supplies of guaranteed quality, at affordable prices and in a timely manner, thanks to the consolidation of regional demand and joint procurement based on technical recommendations.