Caribbean and Latin America imports ten time more medicines than it produce: PAHO

Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) launched a platform to strengthen regional vaccine manufacturing efforts. Director Dr Carissa F. Etienne said that the organization is beginning to start its series of meetings with countries and partners from the public and private sectors to bring the idea to reality.

She said the shortages of vaccines in the Caribbean and the Latin American region shows the requirement of increased regional production of doses. Dr Etienne also announced the launch of a new platform to achieve success.

Describing the approach for the new initiative, Dr Etienne said that "insufficient production and uneven distribution of vaccines" compromises the region's pandemic response and "puts public health at very high risk." Relying on importers makes Latin America and the Caribbean more vulnerable, she added.

"Our region imports ten times more medicines than we produce," stated Dr Etienne.

She said it is high time to expand regional pharmaceutical production so that the region could be at the driver's seat of its own pandemic responses.

The August 27 meeting between global financial institutions, governments, and public health agencies will discuss the platform, which supports research and encourages the development and manufacturing of healthcare technologies.

Dr Etienne notes that "PAHO is already taking initiatives to reduce our dependence on pharmaceutical importers."

She noted that the goal is to take account of existing production capabilities that can contribute to manufacturing mRNA vaccines in America. The principle is that manufacturing should benefit the entire region, with regional pharmaceutical production and distribution of PAHO's Revolving Fund vaccines across all countries.

Only about 23% of the people in the region are completely vaccinated, and in many countries, the coverage is much lower. "Just as manufacturers quickly adapted to produce some of the PPE and ventilators that our region used in the past during the pandemic, we need to bring the same spirit of cooperation and vaccine production to the region," she said.

Noting that investment is important, Dr Etienne said that the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank and other partners have expressed a desire to help the region expand its pharmaceutical production.

"The values ​​of the region of Pan-Americanism and solidarity can help us strengthen pharmaceutical production," she said. "The investments we are making today are not only helping us to get through this pandemic faster, but they are also laying the groundwork for dealing with future health crises so that we do not waste any time."