The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) has signed a technical cooperation agreement with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to improve regulatory harmonization across the Region of the Americas, including the Caribbean. This agreement, made during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), aims to further the work of the Pan American Network for Drug Regulatory Harmonization (PANDRH).
Through this partnership, CEPI will assist PAHO as the technical secretariat for PANDRH, focusing on strengthening pandemic preparedness in member countries. PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa highlighted that effective regulatory systems are essential for ensuring equitable access to quality medical products during pandemics and public health emergencies, as well as fostering regional innovation and production.
“We look forward to deepening our collaboration with CEPI through this agreement, building on the cooperation framework established in 2023 for the benefit of people across the Americas,” Barbosa stated.
Established in 1999, the Pan American Network for Drug Regulatory Harmonization (PANDRH) aims to enhance regulatory functions and systems across the Americas, promoting regulatory convergence and harmonization. Its mission focuses on addressing disparities, developing core competencies for good regulatory practices, and implementing common regulatory proposals for health technologies in the region.
Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with PAHO and PANDRH, emphasizing the importance of regulatory harmonization in combating emerging infectious diseases. He noted that aligning regulatory processes fosters a shared understanding among regional regulators, optimizes limited resources, and establishes standards tailored to regional needs. This, in turn, accelerates the delivery of safe and effective diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines to those in need.
The new agreement aligns with recommendations from the recent XI PANDRH conference, which celebrated the network’s 25th anniversary. The conference called for a strategic plan to address emerging regional challenges and enhance regulatory preparedness for health emergencies.
Founded in 2017, CEPI is an innovative partnership among public, private, philanthropic, and civil organizations, focused on accelerating the development of vaccines and biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats while ensuring equitable access.
