AFR/RC26/R11:
The Regional Committee,
Noting that purchase of pharmaceutical and biological substances and medical equipment requires considerable expenditure of foreign exchange for most countries of the Region, thereby limiting the extent of their health programmes;
Noting that the price of medicaments undergoes considerable unjustified variations from one continent to another and even between neighbouring countries;
Considering that the united front of consumers is powerful force which could suppress or reduce this exploitation by producers;
Considering that the production of essential medicaments in Africa itself is a legitimate aspiration which African countries have expressed on many occasions;
Considering the relevant paragraphs of the declaration of heads of State and Government of non-aligned countries at the Colombo Summit meeting;
Having taken note of information given by the Director-General on his worrying problem, and the need for developing quality control machinery for pharmaceutical and biological substances,
1. THANKS the Director-General for measures already taken in the matter;
2. REQUESTS the Director-General to:
(i) improve existing services for the purchase of medical products, vaccines and other medical material by establishing better coordination with like services of UNICEF and guaranteeing that Member States benefit to the full of such services,
(ii) pursue his contacts with UNIDO, the African Development Bank and other organizations with a view to ensuring that required technical expertise and sources of finance be put at the disposal of African countries interested in establishing pharmaceutical industries in their countries;
3. REQUESTS the Regional Director to:
(i) follow closely all steps taken (in this direction) over the whole word;
(ii) keep Member States informed of all possibilities which they might be offered;
(iii) report to the twenty-seventh session of the Regional Committee progress realized in this field.
September 1976, 28, xiii
