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Published May 25, 2023 / Public health

Africa Day: mobilisation of the pharmaceutical industry for universal coverage

20230525-IFPMA

Geneva, 25 May 2023 – A luncheon debate commemorating Africa Day, co-hosted by Dr. Karim Bendhaou, President of the Africa Board at Merck and Mr. Greg Perry, Deputy DG of IFPMA, in the presence of Dr. Mamadou Péthé Diallo, Minister of Health of Guinea, gave the opportunity to Dr Michel Sidibé, AU Special Envoy for the creation of WADA, to suggest providing the continent with health systems that meet the expectations of its populations and placing genomic research at the heart of priorities: "Investing in scientific research and medical innovation in Africa is crucial to strengthening our pharmaceutical sovereignty and improving the health of our people and those of the world.” The Brazzaville Foundation, partner of IFPMA, was invited.

From left to right: Dr Karim Bendhaou, President of Merck's Africa Division, and Mr Greg Perry, CEO of IFPMA, moderators of the debate, © Brazzaville Foundation.

The pharmaceutical industry has presented five key commitments, published in April 2023 to support programme action CSU2030 namely:

 

- Integrate CSU principles, including "leave no one behind", into all activities;

- Offer innovations that meet the needs of all, including underserved populations, and make them affordable, accessible and sustainable;

- Help strengthen the health workforce, responding to the local context, priorities and needs;

- Contribute to efforts to increase the funding available to the CSU ;

- Advocate and engage in multilateral policy dialogues to advance the CSU.

 

Universal health coverage (UHC) is at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerning health issues. It is the foundation of both global health security and lifelong health and well-being for all.