Foreign Secretary Bárcena emphasizes need for health self-sufficiency in the Americas

Foreign Secretary Bárcena emphasizes need for health self-sufficiency in the Americas

• At the 11th Conference of the Pan American Network for Drug Regulatory Harmonization, Foreign Secretary Bárcena stresses the urgent need to strengthen the region's health systems

Foreign Secretary Alicia Bárcena addressed the "Prospects for the Americas in building health self-sufficiency" segment at the 11th Conference of the Pan American Network for Drug Regulatory Harmonization (CPARF) today.

In her remarks, the Foreign Secretary highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the crucial need to bolster health systems across Latin America and the Caribbean. She emphasized the importance of advancing towards regional health self-sufficiency through enhanced integration and coordination, aiming to develop local capabilities for developing and producing vaccines, medicines, and medical devices.

"We must urgently strengthen our regional health systems," Bárcena stated. "Mexico has an opportunity for reindustrialization and relocation to improve health access by developing comprehensive value chains in pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, thereby reinforcing our health systems."

Secretary Bárcena stressed, "All countries are seeking policies that provide universal health access. By forging a partnership between our scientific, technological, pharmaceutical, and productive sectors, we can make substantial progress." She added that harmonizing regulatory systems and establishing coordination and governance mechanisms are crucial first steps in developing a regional strategy.

"What we are seeking is a health self-sufficiency plan that ensures a stable market, boosts regional research and development, and promotes local production. It's vital to enhance local production, regional chains, and develop our own products to improve access to vaccines and medicines overall."

Bárcena referenced the health self-sufficiency plan developed by ECLAC and adopted during Mexico's pro tempore CELAC presidency. This plan outlines concrete actions to ensure a stable, large-scale market, strengthen the research and development of medicines in the region, facilitate local production and regional value chains, and improve vaccine and medicine accessibility.

The Foreign Secretary concluded by calling for immediate regional action in three areas: coordination among regulatory bodies, regional purchasing mechanisms, and a clinical trials platform. She also advocated for medium-term consortia to develop and produce vaccines.

"Our ultimate goal is a network of countries with harmonized regulations," she stated. "The dream is for Latin America and the Caribbean to have a Latin American Health Regulatory Agency."