Access to Essential Medicines and Health Commodities in Africa

Many countries in Africa have made substantial progress in scaling up access to medicines for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, with support from international agencies and there is increasing focus on the need for quality testing, treatment and followup.
Nevertheless, problems still persist with the low or inconsistent availability and affordability of diagnostics, essential medicines, including antiretroviral medicines, in low income and lower middle income countries. There are funding constraints and bottlenecks in the multiple phases of the drug supply chain. Rapidly emerging threats, such as Ebola, have highlighted the need for rapid and flexible diagnostics, the timely development and sustainable supply of affordable and innovative
medicines and the critical need to strengthen systems for health in Africa to deal with challenges including neglected tropical diseases. Developing domestic markets within Africa requires sound national strategies, a coherent policy framework, robust and wellcoordinated health systems, and a research and development agenda for health that is focused on the needs of African countries, with sufficient and consistent investment. This panel discussion will explore:
● The potential for disruptions to the supply of antiretrovirals in Africa and the need for secure and affordable, quality supplies while also aggressively scalingup Treatment coverage.
● The implications of the FastTrack AIDS response, including 909090: providing tests to 90% of all people living with HIV, treatment to 90% of all people diagnosed, and
viral suppression for 90% of all people on HIV treatment.
● The evolving demand for pharmaceuticals and pointofcare diagnostics in Africa.
● Procurement efficiencies and the impact of donors.
● Industrial policy and its role in public health.
● Regulatory harmonization and trade barriers.
● Technology transfer and capacity development, including South South, North South and triangulation approaches.
● Investment opportunities including private, State and public private partnerships.
● Quality assurance for local manufacturers and imported medicines.
The session will be cochaired by Luiz Loures, Deputy Executive Director, United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Roland Göhde, Chairman of the Board,
German Healthcare Partnership (GHP). The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDSrelated deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to maximize results for the AIDS response. The German Healthcare Partnership is an initiative of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) which pools the most reputable health experts and suppliers of medical solutions for the purpose of providing and strengthening health infrastructure in developing and emerging markets.