The World Health Assembly resolution endorsed, in May 2021, marks an historic milestone in our collective efforts to address the global diabetes epidemic, which urges Member States to raise the priority given to the prevention, diagnosis, and control of diabetes as well as the prevention and management of risk factors such as obesity (WHA74). Another milestone is the establishment of the Global Diabetes Compact (GDC), which provides an opportunity for the global diabetes community to come together to address the barriers in accessing insulin and its associated health technologies.
WHO is convening biannual private sector dialogues with representatives from international business associations, and the pharmaceutical and health technology industry. The dialogues focus on mobilizing commitments and contributions by the private sector toward the noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) response on NCDs to achieve SDG target 3.4, 3.8 and 3b.
The first meeting took place on 23–24 February 2021 and focused on access to insulin and its associated health technologies for diabetes. The second, to take place on 1–2 September 2021 will focus on the same topic. Further meetings planned for 2022 will address the other major noncommunicable diseases (cardiovascular disease, cancer, lung diseases, oral health, rehabilitation, sensory impairments and disability).
Objectives of the meeting
- Provide an update on progress in the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases with a special focus on the World Health Assembly diabetes resolution WHA74.4 and recommendations to strengthen and monitor diabetes responses within national noncommunicable disease programmes, including potential targets.
- Provide an update on access to diabetes medicines and associated health technologies, including the workstreams of the WHO Global Diabetes Compact.
- Strengthening the collaboration between WHO and the private sector in accordance with the WHO Framework of Engagement with non-State Actors (FENSA) towards the development of contributions and commitments by relevant private sector entities to improve access to insulin and associated health technology products for diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of diabetes.
- Discuss and announce commitments to the set of WHO Secretariat asks for the pharmaceutical and associated health technology industries.
- Discuss the bundling of solutions towards a collaborative approach that includes quantification, pooled procurement and cold chain integration of insulin.
- WHO and industry feedback on the proposed approach to register the contributions of the pharmaceutical and associated technology products industry.
- Agree on achievements possible to improve access for people living with diabetes in 2021.
The dialogue will encourage inputs and confirm commitments and contributions from pharmaceutical and the associated technology product industry to support WHO’s activities to strengthen and improve access to medicines and technologies for diabetes, including achievements possible by December 2021.