Interim medical countermeasures network regional entities: meeting report, Geneva, Switzerland, 12–13 March 2024
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World Health Organization
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vii, 33 p.
The Interim Medical Countermeasures Network (i-MCM-Net) Regional Entities Meeting Report summarizes discussions held in Geneva on 12–13 March 2024 among WHO and regional entities involved in preparedness for health emergencies. The meeting examined approaches to strengthening equitable access to medical countermeasures (MCM), including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, in the context of future pandemics. Building on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing assessments of global MCM readiness, participants reviewed activities across the MCM value chain, from research and development and manufacturing to procurement, allocation and delivery. The report also considers the evolving policy environment surrounding pandemic preparedness and access to MCM. The publication highlights the roles, mandates and experiences of regional entities in supporting emergency preparedness and response, with particular attention to localized manufacturing, pooled procurement, stockpiling, regulatory systems and demand forecasting. Discussions identified challenges related to financing, supply chain resilience, production capacity, data quality, transparency and resource sharing. The report emphasizes the importance of collaboration among global, regional and national actors to strengthen end-to-end MCM systems, improve preparedness capacities and support equitable, timely and needs-based access to medical countermeasures during future health emergencies.
The Interim Medical Countermeasures Network (i-MCM-Net) Regional Entities Meeting Report summarizes discussions held in Geneva on 12–13 March 2024 among WHO and regional entities involved in preparedness for health emergencies. The meeting examined approaches to strengthening equitable access to medical countermeasures (MCM), including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, in the context of future pandemics. Building on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing assessments of global MCM readiness, participants reviewed activities across the MCM value chain, from research and development and manufacturing to procurement, allocation and delivery. The report also considers the evolving policy environment surrounding pandemic preparedness and access to MCM. The publication highlights the roles, mandates and experiences of regional entities in supporting emergency preparedness and response, with particular attention to localized manufacturing, pooled procurement, stockpiling, regulatory systems and demand forecasting. Discussions identified challenges related to financing, supply chain resilience, production capacity, data quality, transparency and resource sharing. The report emphasizes the importance of collaboration among global, regional and national actors to strengthen end-to-end MCM systems, improve preparedness capacities and support equitable, timely and needs-based access to medical countermeasures during future health emergencies.