Pacific Island Nations Target Essential Medicines Access With Proposed Procurement Pool
Pacific Island countries are advancing plans to establish a pooled procurement system for essential medicines to address chronic supply shortages across the region. The proposal was introduced by Malaysia during the 77th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific in Manilla.
The initiative aims to improve access to safe and affordable health products, focusing initially on a select group of basic medicines for nations with shared needs. Papua New Guinea and the Marshall Islands have stepped forward to serve as pilot sites for the project, urging regional partners to transition from discussion to operational planning.
Pacific Island nations support the procurement plan
Delegations from Palau, Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu have also voiced support for the procurement pool. Samoa’s representatives emphasized the necessity of maintaining an equitable voice for all participating Pacific Island nations throughout the rollout.
Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, the WHO Western Pacific regional director, expressed encouragement regarding the engagement from member states. Countries issued a strong call to action, requesting the WHO to formulate a concrete implementation plan equipped with clear milestones to demonstrate measurable progress for underserved populations.
Member states agree that health framework remains voluntary
Participating WHO member states agreed that any collaborative health framework must remain country-led and strictly voluntary. Officials stressed that the procurement pool will operate as a complementary mechanism to existing national health systems rather than a replacement.
Which countries and organizations lead the procurement pool?
Which countries offered to host the initial procurement pool sites?
Papua New Guinea and the Marshall Islands volunteered to serve as the pilot sites for the new essential medicines procurement pool.
Who proposed the pooled procurement system?
Malaysia put forward the proposal for the pooled procurement pilot during the 77th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific.
What specific role is the WHO playing in the initiative?
Member states requested that the WHO chart a concrete plan with clear milestones to guide the voluntary, country-led procurement framework.
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