Technical Advisory Group on Local Production and Technology Transfer
In the context of resolution WHA74.6, WHO announced a new initiative, the World Local Production Forum: Enhancing access to medicines and other health technologies with the Local Production and Assistance Unit as the WLPF Secretariat.
About us
TAG-LPTT Title

The Technical Advisory Group on Local Production and Technology Transfer (TAG-LPTT) of health products has been established to provide strategic and technical advice to WHO in the field of promoting and strengthening sustainable local production and technology transfer to improve access to quality, safe and effective health products. The Local Production and Assistance Unit (LPA) serves as the Secretariat of TAG-LPTT. Dr Jicui Dong, Unit Head of LPA, is the Secretary to the TAG-LPTT.

The group is composed of renowned experts with knowledge and expertise in a broad range of disciplines relevant to local production and technology transfer of health products, including policy coherence, financing, business and market environments, investments, human capital developement, infrastructure, research and development, production efficiencies and capabilities, collaborations/partnerships, market intelligence and so forth.

The TAG-LPTT Secretariat published the call for experts in August 2022 soliciting proposals from experts to serve on its technical advisory group. A second call for experts was published in January 2024 to enhance geographical and gender balance within the Technical Advisory Group. TAG-LPTT aims to facilitate timely, equitable and affordable access of quality, safe and effective essential health products through strengthening strategic and sustainable quality local production, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. 

 

 

Functions

In its capacity as an advisory body to WHO, the TAG-LPTT’s core functions would be to:

 1. Provide advice to the Local Production and Assistance Unit on the overall work in implementing resolution WHA74.6 on strengthening local production;

2. Identify and describe current and future challenges related to sustainable local  production and technology transfer of quality, safe and effective health products to support the work of WHO with the Member States towards reaching the relevant Sustainable Development Goals targets;

3. Provide advice to WHO on global policies and strategies on strengthening local  production and technology transfer of health products and their linkages with other health systems elements, to support Universal Health Coverage and Global Public Health Security;

4. Provide advice to WHO on the strategic local production of priority health products to improve equitable, timely access and health security, particularly in low- and middle-income countries;

5. Provide technical advice to WHO on topics related to sustainable local production and technology transfer of quality, safe and effective health products and their ecosystems, such as policy coherence, financing, business and market environments, investments, human capital, infrastructure, research and development, production efficiencies and capabilities, collaborations/partnerships, market intelligence and so forth;

6. Advise WHO on innovations in manufacturing and health technologies to enable low- and middle-income countries to meet local/regional-specific public health needs;

7. Provide advice to achieve impact from local production and technology transfer on access to essential health products.


Meeting & Operational Procedures

In the exercise of their advisory function, members of TAG-LPTT shall serve in their personal capacity, as international experts advising WHO exclusively; and in that capacity they shall provide WHO with the best possible advice. TAG members will not be remunerated for their participation in TAG, and are appointed to serve a period of 2 years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

The TAG-LPTT will meet at least once a year. Frequency may however be adjusted by WHO as necessary. The TAG-LPTT meetings will be held in person or through video- or tele-conference. For more information please see the Terms of Reference of the TAG-LPTT


 

Secretariat

WHO shall provide the secretariat for the TAG, including necessary scientific, technical, administrative, and other support. The Local Production and Assistance (LPA) under the Regulation and Prequalification (RPQ) Department, Access to Medicines and Health Products (MHP) Division of WHO serves as the Secretariat of TAG-LPTT. Dr Jicui Dong, Unit Head of LPA, is the Secretary to the TAG-LPTT.