PAHO warns the region depends on imported medications

Washington, May 21 (Prensa Latina) The countries in the Americas produce less than 4% of medical products they have used during the pandemic, including vaccines, causing overmuch dependence on imports, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa Etienne warned.

May 21, 2021
11:00

This shortage of fundamental medical products is a symptom of Latin America and the Caribbean overdone dependence on imports.

‘Expanding the capacity to manufacture strategic medical products, especially vaccines, is a necessity, both for our population and as a matter of health security,’ she pointed out.

Etienne stressed that there is the potential to expand production, with strong academic and research institutions, manufacturing capacity and regulatory systems, as well as an effective procurement mechanism.

In this regard, she added that Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, and Mexico boast well-established vaccine manufacturing facilities, some of which are being upgraded to produce Covid-19 vaccines.

The PAHO director called for increasing vaccine production, from supplies to vials and syringes, without compromising quality.

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