Washington D.C., February 2025 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) have formalized a memorandum of understanding that reinforces their mutual commitment to improve public health in the Americas. This agreement covers several areas of cooperation, including funding for the new Department of Innovation and Access to Medicines and Health Technologies (IMT) to promote access, innovation and production of advanced therapies in Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen technical cooperation in Latin American and Caribbean countries from a comprehensive, multidimensional and public health approach with the objective of increasing access and rational use.
Advanced Therapies can be an alternative, when initial lines of treatment have been exhausted, and have the potential to address a wide range of clinical indications, have inherent advantages over some existing treatments and current standards of care. For example, the global use of cell therapy is increasing rapidly, particularly in cancer cell therapies.
In this context, it is expected to: Conduct a situation analysis to identify challenges and opportunities to improve innovation, production and access to advanced therapies in the region, including the identification of global best practices. Promote regional dialogue with key stakeholders (ministries of health, national regulatory agencies, scientific community, treatment providers, research and development centers, patients and civil society, among others) to address different aspects of the ecosystem and life cycle of these therapies, including regulatory aspects, production and access policies to advanced therapies. Identify best practices in this area, barriers to production and access, and generate concrete recommendations and a regional work plan.
This contribution of AECID represents a significant contribution that will strengthen PAHO's regional technical cooperation in this area.
