Bahrain hosts Arab forum on pharmaceutical and vaccine industry development
Manama, May 15 (BNA): The Kingdom of Bahrain, in cooperation with the Gulf Health Council (GHC), the League of Arab States, and the World Health OrganiSation (WHO), held the Arab Forum for the Development of the Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Industry.
The forum was attended by Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad Hassan, Minister of Health; Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean; as well as wide participation from Arab health ministries, pharmaceutical and vaccine producers, private sector representatives, and regional and international organisations.
Discussions focused on challenges and opportunities in the region’s pharmaceutical and vaccine sectors, with the goal of promoting regional integration and establishing a comprehensive Arab pharmaceutical supply chain to enhance localisation, self-sufficiency, and alignment with global health and biotechnology trends.
The forum was held as part of the implementation of the fourth initiative endorsed by the 33rd Arab Summit hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain in May 2024, which called for improving healthcare in conflict-affected areas and advancing pharmaceutical and vaccine production across Arab states.
Dr. Jaleela Al Sayed emphasised that the forum reflects the initiative launched by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to strengthen Arab solidarity and address humanitarian priorities. She highlighted the importance of regional pharmaceutical security, particularly through infrastructure development and localisation of vaccine production in underserved areas, and praised strategic partnerships with the Arab League and WHO.
Dr. Balkhy commended regional efforts to promote health security and described the Bahrain Declaration, adopted at the summit, as a roadmap for equitable access to essential medicines. She emphasised His Majesty’s strategic vision of regional self-reliance in pharmaceuticals and vaccines as a necessary response to global challenges, and praised Bahrain’s cooperation with the Arab League and WHO as a successful model.
The forum addressed four key themes, which include the current state of the pharmaceutical and vaccine industry in Arab countries; the role of major international companies in supporting local infrastructure; the achievements and challenges of Arab pharmaceutical firms; and regulatory and technical barriers hindering growth.
The forum concluded with practical recommendations, including investing in research and development, supporting infrastructure and workforce training, aligning regulatory frameworks across Arab countries, encouraging foreign investment, ensuring raw material availability, and fostering collaboration between academia and manufacturers. The outcomes aim to build a resilient and integrated Arab pharmaceutical system, enhance local production, and strengthen health security and sustainable development in the region.
