Mapping Vaccines Policies in Latin America

This is a extract of my first post published in Eyes For Pharma’s Website.

The vaccine industry is looking to expand into new geographies, and Latin America might offer attractive opportunities. The region’s increasing wealth and growing awareness of vaccinations, coupled with the political and economic stability achieved during recent years, creates an interesting market for the region as a whole.

However, obtaining an overview of the Latin American market is rather difficult, mainly due to the diversity within the region in terms of regulation and development as well as the difficulties of financing vaccination programs. The current situation in Latin America is characterized by a lack of standard decision making for incorporating new vaccines, a variability in national schedules, a lack of funding, and significant diversity in regulatory frameworks.

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WHO Agenda 2006-2015

Everybody knows about the World Health Organization.

Founded in 7 April , 1948 and part of the UN system, the WHO is the most  international recognized official entity in terms of public health. 

But…do you think the majority of people could answer this question : Which are the main points in the WHO Agenda during the next years?? I do not think so, and you want to know why ? Because I did not as well. Until today.

Making the preparation for my travel tomorrow to Geneva, in a kind of  “study trip” I started to revise regarding the WHO, objectives, main achievements, commitments , structure , organization, whatever.

I just realize there are a Director General (Margaret Chang) , a Deputy Director General , the Assistant Director Generals and a lot of Directors – definitely burocrasy is an important part of WHO - and also an Executive Board formed by 34 member who are proposed by the countries. One chilean is there, his name is Fernando Munoz.

Also I discovered today the budget of WHO is based in 1/4 by the ”compulsory” or standard contribution of the 193 associated members, and 3/4 for “voluntary” contributions. Can we imagine the influence that this “voluntary” contribution can buy??

But, maybe the most important thing I have discovered in this fast revision is the WHO Agenda for 2006 – 2015. We can find this Agenda in the document “Engaging for Health” Eleventh General Programme of Work”  in which are set out the main contents of WHO objectives during the next years.

And these point of the Agenda are:

1) Investing in Health to reduce poverty

2) Building individual and global health security

3)Promoting universal coverage, gender equality and health related human rights.

4)Tackling the determinants of Health

5) Strengthening health systems and equitable access

6) Harnessing knowledge, science and technology

7)Strengthening governance, leadership and accountability

When I come back from Geneva , I am going to write regarding my personal impression about how this Agenda is carried out in this big organization. Let me see what I can find there…