IGBA Urgent Recommendations To Keep Medicine Supply Chains Flowing

The current operating model of medicines supply requires transparent global collaboration to provide access to medicines for patients around the world. IGBA firmly believes that any restrictions on the export of pharmaceutical products are counterproductive in responding to a global public health crisis. We therefore discourage countries from implementing any policies that could disrupt the pharmaceutical supply chain, including the use of export bans and stockpiling measures. To do so would hamper the industry’s response to COVID19. If countries impose such export restrictions, however, communication must be clear on their scope to prevent an escalation of reactive measures publicly.

To keep medicine supply chains flowing and to avoid shortages, it is critical to:

• Support global cooperation, which is essential to maximise production levels for all countries under WHO leadership, involving Health Ministries and industry;
• Keep international borders open, secure trade flows and oppose export bans for medicines and the key ingredients for their manufacture;
• Maintain air freight capacity at predictable and reasonable cost by making use of available commercial aircraft not currently in use or banned from flying. Military planes could also be considered for use for essential medicines;
• Reserve cargo capacity to transport medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients, intermediates, key starting materials and medical equipment;
• Ensure that airports remain open for these essential goods;
• Coordinate the approach to maintain the airport traffic flow in all global pharmaceutical hubs (such as the EU, India, US and China) – creating open routes or “green lanes” for these essential goods between countries around the world.

As governments take measures to protect their populations from the unrestricted spread of COVID-19, clear coordinated communication is critical to ensure appropriate action by the global community. IGBA therefore welcomes statements affirming commitment to medicines access and supply chain connectivity by the G20 and the joint ministries of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Myanmar, New Zealand and Singapore, recognizing the importance of collaboration and solidarity.

About IGBA
The International Generic and Biosimilar medicines Association (IGBA) strengthens cooperation between associations representing manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines from around the world. The IGBA is at the forefront of preserving sustainable competition within our industry, by stimulating competitiveness and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector; thereby, ensuring millions of patients around the world have access to high quality, pro-competitive medicines. For more details, regarding IGBA and its member associations, see the IGBA website at www.igbamedicines.org.