Pillar 1: One billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage

13. Review of and update on matters considered by the Executive Board

13.1 Follow-up to the political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases

STATEMENT

Delivered by Hillary Mutungi

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) welcomes the Director-General’s report and supports the call for multisectoral action to address the high burden of NCDs, particularly in line with previous resolutions on strengthening the prevention and control of diabetes and cervical cancer elimination.

MPP is committed to working with all parties to explore opportunities to increase access to quality-assured, affordable medicines in low- and middle-income countries. This may include, for example, GLP-1 receptor agonists for diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. And immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of various types of cancers, including cervical cancer, bridging the gap between innovation and equitable access to treatment.

MPP remains determined to work with WHO Member States, and other stakeholders to identify priority medicines and facilitate their access in low- and middle-income countries through licensing and technology transfer.

 

Pillar 2: One billion more people better protected from health emergencies

16.2 Intergovernmental Negotiating Body to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Document A78/10

STATEMENT

Delivered by Hillary Mutungi

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) warmly welcomes the successful conclusion of negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

We are encouraged that many provisions of the agreement focus on supporting sustainable and geographically diversified local production through licensing, and technology transfer. These are areas where MPP has demonstrated practical impact, including through the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme we co-lead with WHO and our licensing of therapeutics to expand access in low- and middle-income countries.

We also welcome the focus on embedding access conditions in publicly funded R&D and procurement, which supports timely and more equitable access.

As countries move to adopt and operationalize this historic agreement, MPP stands ready to work with WHO and its Member States to support its implementation.

 

Pillar 4: More effective and efficient WHO providing better support to countries

13.9 Global strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health

Context

The Executive Board at its 156th session noted the report on the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health. It also adopted decisions EB156(29) on incorporation of the World Prematurity Day into the WHO calendar, to strengthen approaches to prevent preterm births and treat and care for preterm infants, and EB156(30) on regulating the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes. In the discussions, Board members highlighted the importance of data to monitor progress, cooperation with other relevant United Nations agencies, updated guidance, access to best practice interventions, and sexual and reproductive health. They emphasized the need for special approaches to women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health for fragile, conflict and vulnerable settings. They also discussed challenges associated with the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

STATEMENT

Delivered by Hillary Mutungi

The Medicines Patent Pool welcomes decision EB156(29) on incorporation of World Prematurity Day into the WHO calendar to raise awareness and promote strengthened approaches for preventing preterm births and treating and caring for preterm infants. Among conditions that affect preterm infants severely, with a particularly wide equity gap between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries, are complications and mortality from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. But there are good news, as game-changing monoclonal antibodies can prevent most of these unnecessary infant deaths. There is now an opportunity to ensure broad access to these game-changing innovations. This is where MPP can help, in partnerships with originator pharmaceutical companies, biosimilar manufacturers, governments, and public health organizations, including partners of the Global Accelerator for Paediatric Formulations. Let’s work together!