The International Generic and Biosimilar medicines Association (IGBA) welcomes the adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025. This landmark accord represents a critical step toward strengthening global preparedness and ensuring equitable access to essential health products in future pandemics.
The IGBA welcomes the inclusion of key provisions that reflect our long-standing priorities, namely advancement of regulatory convergence and reliance; support for sustainable manufacturing; reinforcement of supply chain resiliency; and enhanced access to life saving medicines.
As the Treaty undergoes its ratification process and as the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG), mandated by Resolution WHA78.1, works to finalize its annexes and further develop its provisions, IGBA reiterates its commitment to contribute technical expertise and policy insights to support these ongoing discussions. We urge the Intergovernmental Working Group, WHO and its Member States to:
- Provide clarity and specificity on the definition of “pandemic-related health product” to ensure consistent interpretation and application.
- Prioritize regulatory reliance and mutual recognition to streamline access to streamline approval processes and improve timely access to essential health products.
- Support the development of sustainable, resilient and diversified supply chains that can withstand future public health emergencies.
- Foster pro-competition policy environments and timely market entry of health products at procurement and distribution level.
- Engage industry partners in shaping practical, scalable solutions, through structured participation in bodies associated with the Conference of the Parties.
IGBA looks forward to collaborating with the IGWG, WHO, WTO, and other stakeholders as contribution towards achieving the Pandemic Agreement’s promise of equitable, resilient, and sustainable access to medicines for all.