Medicine pool proposal at WHO gets support from Pacific Islands

Pacific Island countries have responded keenly to a proposal by Malaysia for a procurement pool for access to some essential medicines.

The proposal was one of several put forward by member countries at the 77th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manilla.

A statement from the WHO said Malaysia's proposal for a pooled procurement pilot would start with a few essential medicines for countries who "share clear needs".

It was one of several proposals by WHO countries in the broader Asia-Pacific region aimed at improving access to safe and affordable health products, especially basic medicines which many Pacific Islands countries lack regular access to.

Papua New Guinea and the Marshall Islands have offered to be pilot sites for the procurement pool, saying it was "time to move from discussion to action".

Other Pacific countries which have come out in support of the idea are Palau, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu, with Samoa's delegation emphasising the importance of an equitable voice for Pacific Islands.

WHO's Western Pacific regional director Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala said he was encouraged by the collegiality and candour displayed by member states on this issue.

"Countries have issued a strong call to action, requesting WHO to chart a concrete plan with clear milestones," he said.

"It's clear that we need to demonstrate measurable progress that benefits the region, especially for countries that currently face significant constraints in accessing the medicines and other commodities they need."

The WHO member states also agreed that "any collaboration should be country-led, voluntary, and complementary to national systems and existing mechanisms".