Interim medical countermeasures network regional entities

Book excerpt: This report summarizes the discussions at the meeting of the i-MCM-Net regional entities on enhancing collaboration for timely and equitable access to medical countermeasures in response to public health emergencies. Recognizing the importance of regional capacities, this meeting's objective was to provide updates on i-MCM-Net activities, discuss preliminary findings and gaps emerging from the i-MCM-Net mapping report (Defining access to countermeasures: Landscape report, executive summary), engage regional stakeholders in a collaborative discussion about challenges, and foster cross-regional dialogues. As part of this meeting, regional entities reflected on their mandates, initiatives, and collaborations related to the end-to-end MCM value chain. At the request of Member States, WHO is collaborating with partners to assess the readiness of the MCM ecosystem for responding to pandemic influenza, novel coronavirus, and pathogen X (a hypothetical, unknown pathogen). The aim is to identify gaps and suggest actionable steps to address them. Initial analyses show the need for enhanced capacities across the MCM value chain, such as fast-tracked research and development (R&D), scalable manufacturing, end-to-end health emergency supply chains, integrated delivery, and financing.