September 19, 2024, Washington, DC. In support of Snakebite Prevention Day, PAHO's Strategic Fund cooperated with PANAFTOSA to add 32 antivenoms in the product catalog, along with eligibility and quality standards, as well as clinical and epidemiological information on snakebites and other venomous species.
The Strategic Fund aims to create awareness in regional countries about the importance of adequate supply, beginning with a needs assessment based on epidemiological and clinical criteria for ophidian accidents. The ministries' expressed interest will be critical in ensuring that the region has equitable and timely access to these antivenoms.
The process considered the available evidence on efficacy and safety and supplier selection information from each sub-region of the Americas. Mexico and Brazil have reported the most cases in the region.
The inclusion of medicines aligns with the World Health Organization's (WHO) global plan for preventing and controlling ophidian poisonings, which supports national governments in this regard.
PAHO offered technical help for the formulation of the inclusion technique through the departments of disease prevention, control, and elimination, as well as innovation, medicines, and technologies.
For additional information, please visit the Strategic Fund website
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