WHO - World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
WHO - World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
07/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/01/2024 18:05
WHO/Europe meets with the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations
The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) is a member of the Access to Novel Medicines Platform (NMP), a collaborative initiative established by WHO/Europe. The NMP aims to improve patient access to novel, high-cost medicines by fostering collaboration among Member States, partners and non-State actors.
WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge was invited to address the EFPIA board on 20 June 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. He was accompanied by Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of WHO/Europe's Division of Country Health Policies and Systems; Mr Jo De Cock, WHO Consultant; Mr Andrew de Gannes, Operations Officer at WHO/Europe; and Ms Oxana Domenti, WHO Representative to the European Union.
Dr Kluge thanked the EFPIA members who contributed actively to the 4 working groups focusing on transparency, solidarity, sustainability and novel antimicrobials. These groups have developed 10 proposals, ranging from short-term, low-cost, easy-to-implement solutions to larger demonstration projects.
He referred to the upcoming meeting on 2-3 July 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark, where the NMP will bring together stakeholders from across the WHO European Region for consensus-building. This gathering will provide all working groups with the opportunity to share their draft proposals with each other and the wider NMP platform, allowing for consultation and prioritization by all stakeholders.
Dr Kluge also advocated for improving access in the smaller countries across the Region. The July meeting will provide an avenue for direct exchange among industry representatives, Member States and the members of the Small Countries Initiative - countries in the Region with a population of fewer than 2 million inhabitants. These countries have expressed concerns that their size leads to limited negotiating power, resulting in higher prices and persistent supply chain issues.
Both parties acknowledged the important work carried out by the working groups to date and the value of the NMP in providing a neutral platform and safe space that has fostered constructive dialogue.