In a world where health crises can strike without warning, ensuring every nation has fair and timely access to life-saving treatments is a moral imperative. But here's where it gets controversial: how do we achieve this in a way that’s both equitable and efficient? The World Health Organization (WHO) recently took a significant step toward addressing this challenge by convening the 3rd Annual Partners Meeting of the interim Medical Countermeasures Network (i-MCM-Net) in Istanbul, Türkiye, from September 30 to October 1, 2025. This gathering, hosted by the i-MCM-Net Secretariat at WHO Headquarters in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe and its Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies, brought together 85 participants from 30 diverse organizations. These included regional bodies, UN agencies, international development partners, academia, civil society, and the private sector—a testament to the global commitment to tackling this issue head-on.
Maria Van Kerkhove, Director a.i. of WHO’s Epidemic and Pandemic Management Department, highlighted a remarkable achievement: “Through the mpox Access and Allocation Mechanism, over 1.6 million mpox vaccine doses have been delivered to 13 countries. This demonstrates how i-MCM-Net transforms global collaboration into tangible, country-level impact.” But this is just the beginning. The i-MCM-Net serves as a critical mechanism to ensure equitable access to medical countermeasures (MCMs) while Member States negotiate the Pandemic Agreement annex—a process that could take years. And this is the part most people miss: without such networks, many regions could be left vulnerable when the next health emergency strikes.
The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration and accelerate progress toward timely access to MCMs, including vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and other essential health products. Key objectives included:
- Reviewing recent developments in the MCM ecosystem to support the global i-MCM-Net High-Level Implementation Plan.
- Exploring strategies for regional implementation through the development of strategic roadmaps.
- Updating partners on the ongoing negotiations of the Pandemic Agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) Annex.
Key insights emerged over the two-day meeting, emphasizing that preparedness is a shared responsibility. Participants highlighted six critical themes:
1. Bridging preparedness gaps: i-MCM-Net plays a vital role in identifying gaps and fostering multisectoral collaboration.
2. Building regional production capacity: This requires political commitment, predictable demand, skilled workforces, and technology transfer ecosystems.
3. Enhancing supply and procurement systems: Integrated mechanisms, supported by shared data and early government engagement, are essential.
4. Accelerating R&D through a viral family approach: Inclusive roadmaps can expedite the creation of broadly applicable MCMs.
5. Closing the financing gap: Sustainable access demands multisectoral collaboration and blended financing models, with transparency and community engagement at the core.
6. Leveraging regional expertise: Harnessing regional capabilities strengthens strategies for equitable access and ensures global coordination reflects local needs.
But here’s the controversial part: while these themes offer a roadmap, implementing them requires navigating complex political, economic, and logistical challenges. For instance, how do we ensure low- and middle-income countries aren’t left behind in manufacturing capacity? Or how do we balance profit motives with public health needs in R&D?
Participants also dissected challenges across the MCM value chain, from R&D to financing, and proposed solutions:
- Vaccines: Fragile manufacturing capacity and financing risks were flagged, with early technology transfer and pooled procurement suggested as remedies.
- Diagnostics: Fragmented systems were identified, with bundled procurement models proposed to improve efficiency.
- Therapeutics: Limited investment was highlighted, with de-risking R&D and push–pull financing models suggested to stimulate demand.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to 20 priority actions over the next 12 months, to be integrated into an operational plan co-developed by the i-MCM-Net Secretariat and partners. These actions will focus on strengthening collaboration and accelerating progress across the MCM value chain, ensuring innovations benefit all.
As the global health landscape grows more complex, i-MCM-Net remains a beacon of hope—but is it enough? What do you think? Are we doing enough to prepare for the next pandemic? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s spark a conversation that could shape the future of global health equity.
