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. 2023 Jun 22;14(2):1-7.
doi: 10.5365/wpsar.2023.14.2.1000. eCollection 2023 Apr-Jun.

Ensuring access to novel COVID-19 therapeutics in Pacific island countries and areas

Gereltuya Dorj  1   2 , Eva Mata Martinez  1 , Karen Hammad  1   3   4 , Biniam Getachew Kabethymer  1 , Nuha Mahmoud  1
Affiliations

Ensuring access to novel COVID-19 therapeutics in Pacific island countries and areas

Gereltuya Dorj et al. Western Pac Surveill Response J. .

Abstract

Problem: As of November 2022, over 417 397 confirmed cases and 2631 deaths related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported in Pacific island countries and areas (PICs). Most PICs have faced challenges accessing therapeutics recommended for the treatment of COVID-19 due to their high demand worldwide and supply chain constraints.

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) coordinates and provides tailored technical and operational support to 21 PICs. Since the start of the pandemic, WHO has worked with partners to establish a mechanism to ensure equitable access to three novel COVID-19 therapeutics (tocilizumab, molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) for lower-income countries, including 11 eligible PICs.

Action: WHO coordinated the requests, procurement and distribution of the three novel therapeutics. In addition, WHO supported PICs by providing trainings in clinical management of COVID-19, developing critical supply needs estimates, and facilitating regulatory approval of clinical therapeutics, including emergency use authorization.

Lessons learned: The main barriers to procurement of novel COVID-19 therapeutics were identified as prolonged negotiations with licence holders, sourcing funding, the high cost of therapeutics and limited capacity to provide safety monitoring.

Discussion: Uninterrupted supply and availability of essential medicines in the Pacific region is dependent on external and local sourcing. To overcome procurement barriers and ensure access to novel COVID-19 therapeutics in PICs, WHO's pandemic support to Member States focused on strengthening regulatory requirements, safety monitoring and supply chain activities.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Map of Pacific island countries and areas, by corresponding cumulative COVID-19 cases per 100 000 population
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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