Brazil and PAHO host strategic meeting to strengthen regional supply of medicines, vaccines, and health technologies – PAHO/WHO

Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 28, 2025 (PAHO) – In an attempt to boost regional health safety and reduce the dependence of global supply chains, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health brought together the main manufacturers of health products in a strategic workshop in Sao Paulo last week. Organized in collaboration with the Sao Paulo Industries Federation (FIESP), the meeting was aimed at expanding the availability of essential medicines, vaccines and other critical health technologies in the Americas.

In the center of the discussion were the regional rotating funds of PAHO, mechanisms that group the acquisition to ensure that the countries of the Americas have better access to vaccines, medications and other health technologies at affordable prices.

Held on July 25, the workshop also sought to promote expansion in the supply of strategic health products in the Americas and strengthen regional production capacity and explore opportunities for collaboration.

A greater production capacity in the Americas is essential to guarantee better access to medicines, vaccines and health technologies, «said the director of the PAHO, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa.» This association with Brazil and Fiesp will allow more producers to participate in the rotating funds of Paho, «he added and» will inspire other countries to join the effort. «

The event also marked the launch of the first RNA competition center in Brazil, a new initiative led by the Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Research and Industrial Innovation Company (EBROPII). The center will focus on advancing in Messenger RNA Vaccine Technologies (RNM), an area of growing importance for the preparation of pandemic and rapid development of the vaccine.

This initiative reflects Paho’s broader strategy to advance regional manufacturing and foster innovation in health technologies.

PAHO ROTATING FUNDS

PAHO regional rotating funds are technical cooperation mechanisms that allow Americas countries to access quality vaccines, essential medicines and public health supplies at affordable prices in a timely and transparent way.

By grouping their purchases and planning the demand together through the rotating funds of Paho, the countries of the Americas have reached affordable prices, saving approximately 50% in vaccines and other public health supplies. Only in the last two years, this initiative has benefited around 180 million people in the region.

Since its inception, funds have helped improve equitable access in countries throughout the region. They have played a key role in the fight against diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. They have also helped improve immunization coverage and reduce maternal and child mortality.