"Every person, no matter their
background or circumstances, should be able to access health
services and medical products when needed, without experiencing
financial hardship. Without affordable access to safe,
quality-assured medical products, attaining good health and
well-being and Universal Health Coverage becomes a distant
dream". That is what Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Director of
Country Health Policies & Systems at the World Health
Organization - Regional Office for Europe, said at the plenary
discussion in Trieste on the meeting organized by CEI and WHO
for the policy dialogue on "Building resilient pharmaceutical
and health product systems."
"The reality we face today is far from ideal - she added - We
are seeing unprecedented levels of medicine stockouts and
shortages due to disruptions in global supply chains.
Many countries in the WHO European Region, including those here
today, also deal with rising medical costs. These costs create a
significant budgetary strain, often restricting patient access,
increasing inequalities, and increasing out-of-pocket payments.
Moreover, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and rampant European
inflation worsen matters". According to the director,
"This policy dialogue in Trieste aims to serve as a powerful
platform for us to address these challenges collectively.
Trieste has always been the bridge between Western Europe, the
Western Balkans, and the eastern part of the WHO European
Region".
"WHO/Europe - Azzopardi Muscat then underlined - recognizes this
and is working with different stakeholders through the new
Access to Novel Medicines Platform (NMP) - a neutral space for
patients and representatives of industry, civil society,
governments, and other stakeholders - to convene and discuss
solutions together, focusing on transparency, solidarity,
sustainability, and novel antimicrobials."
The meeting in Trieste, "under the leadership and convening
power of CEI," hosted by Italy, was fruitful "to share
experiences and best practices between EU countries and
candidate countries, including the Western Balkans."
The director remarked, "Small countries face additional
challenges in accessing these medicines and medical products as
well as essential medicines due to their limited capacities and
geographical limitations. WHO/Europe is working with them to
find solutions to these complex issues."
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