SESRIC, in collaboration with the OIC Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), organised an online training course on “Increasing the Production and Supply of Medicines, Vaccines and Medical Technologies in the OIC Member Countries” on 9-10 December 2024. The event was held within the framework of the IbnSina Health Capacity Building (IbnSina-CaB) Programme, and in line with the OIC Strategic Health Programme of Action (OIC SHPA) 2014-2023 as well as the 7th Session of the Islamic Conference of Health Ministers (ICHM).

The course was provided by experts from various background and notable institutions facilitated by COMSTECH for the benefit of 85 experts and executives from the relevant ministries and national institutions across 28 OIC Countries.

The opening session commenced with welcoming remarks by H.E. SELÇUK, in which she drew attention to the challenges in accessing medicines, vaccines, and essential medical technologies and devices. In this regard, she highlighted SESRIC’s continuous efforts to support member countries in overcoming current health challenges through proactive measures in statistics, research, training, and technical cooperation via the South-South and Triangular Cooperation mechanisms. To date, SESRIC has successfully conducted 83 health capacity-building activities under the IbnSina-CaB and StatCaB Programmes.

On his part, H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal CHOUDHARY, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, stated in his opening remarks that the OIC countries should design a regulatory framework for importing and exporting medicines, vaccines, and medical technologies. A think tank of healthcare processional meeting should be conducted on priority basis to make consensus and a way forward.

The 2-day training course covered the following key topics:

• Contemporary Landscape of Pharmaceuticals Industries & Medical Technology Manufactures: The World & the OIC Member Countries by Mr. Aman Ullah SHEIKH, Vice Chairman of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (PPMA) & Chief Executive of Davis Pharmaceuticals Laboratories;
• Regulatory Frameworks & Compliance for Medicine, Vaccine & Medical Technology Products Marketing by Dr. Saif ur Rehman KHATTAK, Director, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Karachi Office;
• Innovation on Pharmaceuticals & Medical Technology R&D by Prof. Dr. Murtaza NAJABAT, CEO, Revive Medical Technology Inc., Pakistan;
• Development of Modern Vaccines for Infectious Diseases by Prof. Dr. Moazur RAHMAN, Director/Professor, Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan;
• Supply Chain Management of Medicines, Vaccines & Medical Technologies in Health Emergencies by Dr. Muhammad TARIQ, Faculty School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), NUST, CEO/DDL, Science and Technology Park;
• Enhancing the Safety, Breadth & Potency of Vaccines by Prof. Dr. Munir IQBAL, Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Group Leader, The Pirbright Institute UK & Visiting Professor at Royal Veterinary College London; and
• Key Strategies for optimising the Pharmaceutical & Medical Technology Industries by Mr. Nasir M. QURESHI, President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI).

The training course aimed to enhance knowledge and expertise through provision of deep understanding on the landscape of pharmaceutical industries and health instrument manufactures. It also aimed to explore optimization strategy for production and distribution of medicines, vaccines, and medical technologies in meeting the demands as well as accommodating the needs of the OIC countries while fostering global and regional cooperation and partnership in the sector.

The presentations of the training course are available here.

For more information about SESRIC Capacity Building Programmes, please visit: https://www.sesric.org/tcd-cab.php.

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