UK (Commonwealth Union)_ At the inaugural meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Procurement Network (HOPN), officials emphasized the critical need to assist countries in procuring vital vaccines, medications, and other healthcare essentials. Developed in partnership with the Commonwealth Pharmacy Association (CPA) and with the backing of the Southern African Programme on Access to Medicines and Diagnostics and the World Health Organization (WHO), this network aims to enhance collaboration among Commonwealth health ministries and facilitate the exchange of information.
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Highly supported by the Commonwealth health ministers, the HOPN will provide member nations with access to information databases, professional development programs, partnership opportunities, and the ability to influence Commonwealth policies. Presided over by Prof. Zaheer Babar, Trustee of the CPA, the network’s inaugural meeting was all about best practices for establishing and maintaining robust supply chains. Additionally, Christophe Rerat, WHO’s Subregional Advisor in Medicines, Vaccines, and Health Technologies, also offered expert insights on legislation, regulation, and governance.
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Layne Robinson, Head of Social Policy Development at the Commonwealth Secretariat, highlighted the significance of the inaugural meeting as a platform for countries to engage in candid discussions regarding shared challenges. Referring to a WHO report that revealed significant financing gaps in health procurement, Robinson stressed the importance of the HOPN as a valuable resource for health ministries worldwide. He stated, “The stark reality is that one-third of the world’s population lacks access to essential medicines, with most of them living in poor countries, while rising prices of new drugs are becoming a challenge in wealthy states.”
Robinson also emphasized the global disparity in access to essential medicines and the escalating challenge of rising drug prices, underscoring the Commonwealth’s commitment to establishing a robust network to address these issues effectively. He added, “The Commonwealth’s aim is to create a robust network to ensure those tasked with securing life-saving medicines, vaccines and health technologies have access to the right information and resources.”
Additionally, Victoria Rutter, CEO of the Commonwealth Pharmacy Association, expressed optimism over Robinson’s sentiments, tracing the HOPN’s inception back to the collaborative efforts initiated in 2018. Rutter expressed enthusiasm for the network’s potential in addressing the mounting challenges faced by Commonwealth nations in accessing quality medicines. The results of the HOPN meeting will be shared with the Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Health, and the network’s concerns and agreements will be presented at the upcoming Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in May, ensuring that the discussions and collaborations initiated at the inaugural meeting continue to inform Commonwealth health policies and strategies.
