Interim medical countermeasures network regional entities: meeting report, Geneva, Switzerland, 12–13 March 2024

Overview

This report summarizes the discussions at the meeting of the i-MCM-Net regional entities on enhancing collaboration for timely and equitable access to medical countermeasures in response to public health emergencies:

• Regional entities’ roles in ensuring access to MCM 
• Considerations for geographically diversified production
• Intelligence for demand planning and assessment of supply capabilities
• Enablers of effective collaboration for end-to-end MCM systems
• Supporting countries in ensuring equitable access to MCM

At the request of Member States, WHO is collaborating with partners to assess the readiness of the MCM ecosystem for responding to pandemic influenza, novel coronavirus, and pathogen X (a hypothetical, unknown pathogen). The aim of the meeting was to identify gaps and suggest actionable steps to address them. Initial analyses show a need for enhanced capacities across the MCM value chain, such as fast-tracked research and development (R&D), scalable manufacturing, end-to-end health emergency supply chains, integrated delivery, and financing. Recognizing the importance of regional capacities, the meeting provided updates on i-MCM-Net activities, discussed preliminary findings and gaps emerging from the i-MCM-Net mapping report (Defining access to countermeasures: Landscape report, executive summary), engaged regional stakeholders in a collaborative discussion about challenges, and foster cross-regional dialogues. As part of this meeting, regional entities reflected on their mandates, initiatives, and collaborations related to the end-to-end MCM value chain. 

The meeting marked a first step towards enhancing regional collaboration for timely and equitable access to MCM in public health emergencies.