This segment of the newsletter focusses on sharing the recent regulatory reforms and updates on Healthcare and Pharmaceutical domain from World Health Organization (WHO). This segment collates information periodically via conducting research and review of pharmaceutical updates from the WHO. Below are the highlights for the month of February 2020:

Four Countries in Africa licensed an Ebola vaccine as preventive measure1

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Ghana and Zambia have licensed an Ebola vaccine, just 90 days after World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification. Registration of the vaccine is expected in additional countries in the coming weeks. WHO accelerated the licensing and roll-out of the Ebola vaccine by certifying that it met the organization's standards for quality, safety and efficacy in its fastest vaccine prequalification process ever.

WHO accelerates research on new coronavirus2

WHO convened a global research and innovation forum to mobilize international action in response to the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The forum, held on 11-12 February in Geneva, was organized in collaboration with the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness

WHO and FIND formalize strategic collaboration to drive universal access to essential diagnostics3

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) announced that a memorandum of understanding has been signed by the two organizations to formalize a strategic collaboration that will strengthen diagnosis in resource-poor countries by closing major diagnostic gaps at country level and bolstering disease surveillance which will inform public health initiatives and enhance outbreak preparedness and response.

Footnotes

1 https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/14-02-2020-four-countries-in-the-african-region-license-vaccine-in-milestone-for-ebola-prevention

2 https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/06-02-2020-who-to-accelerate-research-and-innovation-for-new-coronavirus

3 https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/10-02-2020-who-and-find-formalize-strategic-collaboration-to-drive-universal-access-to-essential-diagnostics

Originally published 28 April, 2020

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