The Eastern Mediterranean region stands at a critical crossroads in global health, grappling with some of the most complex challenges in access to essential medicines and health products.
Nearly two billion people worldwide lack regular access to these vital resources, and the situation in this region is particularly acute due to conflict, fragmented procurement systems, and supply chain disruptions. Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, underscored these urgent issues in her opening remarks at the High-Level Virtual Member State Forum on the WHO Regional Pooled Procurement Mechanism, emphasizing that no country can tackle these hurdles alone.
The WHO’s Regional Pooled Procurement Mechanism aims to change the narrative by enabling countries to join forces and leverage their collective purchasing power. This initiative is not merely about buying medicines in bulk; it is a strategic response to a fragmented and often inefficient procurement landscape that drives up costs and leaves vulnerable populations without reliable access to care. By pooling demand, countries can negotiate better prices, attract a wider array of suppliers, and reduce procurement costs, thereby enhancing the stability and reliability of the supply chain. This model draws on global evidence demonstrating that pooled procurement can be transformative, particularly in regions where individual countries struggle with scale and market power.
The Eastern Mediterranean region’s challenges are magnified by ongoing conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. Areas affected by war and displacement face acute shortages of essential medicines, threatening the continuity of care for millions. These conditions create a fragile health security environment where supply chains are prone to disruption, and national procurement systems are often overwhelmed or under-resourced. The WHO’s mechanism seeks to bridge these gaps by providing a complementary platform that supports national efforts while fostering regional solidarity and resilience.
Pooled procurement is also a vehicle for broader health system strengthening. Beyond cost savings, it encourages regulatory cooperation among member states, which can harmonize standards and accelerate the approval of safe, quality-assured medicines. It also incentivizes regional manufacturing, reducing dependency on external markets that may be unpredictable or politically fraught. Such steps are crucial for building a sustainable, country-owned procurement system that can adapt to future health emergencies and safeguard universal health coverage goals.
Universal health coverage (UHC) remains a cornerstone of WHO’s agenda in the Eastern Mediterranean, and access to affordable, quality medicines is central to this vision. UHC means that all individuals and communities can access essential health services without financial hardship. Yet, the region’s median health spending is low, with vast disparities between countries. For example, Jordan spends nearly twice as much on health as Afghanistan or Pakistan, reflecting uneven capacity to finance health services. The Regional Pooled Procurement Mechanism is designed to help level this playing field by making essential medicines more affordable and accessible, thus advancing the region’s collective progress toward UHC.
Dr. Balkhy’s call to action was clear and urgent. Member States are urged to reaffirm their commitment to the mechanism, actively engage in its implementation, and submit timely demand forecasts. These steps are critical because early and accurate demand forecasting enables the WHO to negotiate competitive prices and ensure product availability. It also fosters a culture of collaboration and trust among countries, which is essential for the mechanism’s success.
The forum highlighted that the Eastern Mediterranean has a history of regional cooperation that can be leveraged. When countries coordinate, they achieve more than they could individually—whether in health, trade, or security. This spirit of partnership is the foundation upon which the pooled procurement mechanism is built. As Dr. Balkhy noted, it is about making essential health products more available, affordable, and secure for the 750 million people who call this region home.
The mechanism also responds to the evolving nature of health emergencies in the region. The Eastern Mediterranean faces a unique constellation of public health risks, including biological, chemical, man-made, and natural hazards. These risks demand a supply chain that is not only efficient but resilient. By strengthening procurement coordination and regulatory convergence, the mechanism helps countries prepare for and respond to emergencies more effectively, ensuring that lifesaving medicines and vaccines reach those in need without delay.
Operationalizing this ambitious initiative requires overcoming significant obstacles. Fragmented procurement systems, varying regulatory environments, and political instability pose ongoing challenges. However, lessons from other regions demonstrate that these can be addressed through strong governance, transparent processes, and sustained political will. For instance, the East African Community’s pooled procurement experience has shown that regional frameworks can enhance bargaining power and reduce costs, even in complex political landscapes.
Moreover, the mechanism aligns with global trends toward regional pooled procurement as a practical strategy to tackle rising medicine prices and supply shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting renewed interest in regional solutions that reduce reliance on distant markets and strengthen local production capabilities. This approach is increasingly seen as essential for health security, especially in regions like the Eastern Mediterranean, where geopolitical tensions and conflicts exacerbate supply risks.
The WHO Regional Pooled Procurement Mechanism represents a pragmatic and hopeful path forward for the Eastern Mediterranean. It embodies the principle that health equity can be advanced when countries unite their efforts and resources. As Dr. Balkhy emphasized, the success of this initiative depends on active participation, transparent collaboration, and a shared commitment to health for all. The mechanism is not a panacea, but it is a vital tool that, if embraced fully, can transform access to essential medicines and build a stronger, more resilient health future for the region’s nearly three-quarters of a billion inhabitants.
This initiative also serves as a reminder of the power of cooperation in a world where health challenges increasingly transcend borders. In the Eastern Mediterranean, where the stakes are high and the need is urgent, pooled procurement offers a beacon of hope—one that could reshape how health systems operate and how populations experience care for decades to come. The coming months will be crucial as member states take the steps needed to turn this vision into reality, reaffirming that in health, as in so much else, unity is strength.