Over $800 million in vaccines, medicines and health technology procured by PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds in 2024 – PAHO/WHO
Washington, DC, February 24, 2025 – The regional rotating funds of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced their main achievements of 2024, including the countries of the Americas that increase their investment in vaccines, medications and health technologies through the fund compared to 2023.
Among its 2024 milestones, regional rotating funds, a grouped acquisition mechanism that allows the countries of the Americas to buy high quality vaccines, medications and other health technologies at competitive prices, highlighted the purchase of 224 million doses of vaccines. Currently, thirty -two countries and territories in the region access at least 80% of their total need for vaccines and related supplies through funds.
The funds also bought more than 10 million diagnostic tests, including rapid tests for the rapid diagnosis of diseases such as HIV, malaria and leishmaniasis, among others, as well as treatment for a variety of communicable diseases and non -communicable conditions, including hepatitis, tuberculosis and diabetes.
«Ensure that the countries of the Americas have access to vaccines, essential medical supplies and equipment necessary to promote the health of their populations is crucial to build sustainable medical care systems in the region,» said Santiago Cornejo, executive manager, regional rotating funds in PAHO.
The rotating funds of the PAHO have been key to facilitating the provision of more sides and high cost for the region. The background recently joined the global platform for access to childhood cancer medicines, a joint initiative between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Children’s Research Hospital of St. Jude to distribute medicines for childhood cancer in need critically needed. The first country in the region to receive these medications was Ecuador.
The funds are also a crucial medium through which to support the regional production of vaccines, medications and medical supplies. In January of this year, Paho, the Government of Argentina and the Pharmaceutical Company Sinegium Biotech announced a joint effort to facilitate local production and regional access to the new Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine of 20 VALUES (PCV20). This inclusion, together with the analysis of the epidemiological context in each country, will help reduce the regional load of pneumococcal diseases, offering protection for vulnerable populations throughout the course of life, including children, people with comorbidities and elders.
«The lessons learned from pandemic show us that supporting regional production is essential to build a more resistant region and foster economic growth,» Cornejo added. «Providing manufacturers for a prepared consumer base and ensuring that countries can access these goods at competitive prices is key to achieving this.»
