Deal secures 20% of pandemic supplies for global equity

From the newsletter

Member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) have officially adopted the first-ever WHO Pandemic Agreement. It establishes mechanisms to guarantee equitable and timely access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for the world’s poor by reserving 20% of real-time production for WHO distribution during pandemics.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, many African countries experienced delayed access to vaccines and diagnostics due to limited supply and purchasing power. This agreement aims to ensure that African countries are not overlooked in future health emergencies, a rise in which is expected as a result of climate-related disruptions.

• Additionally, the agreement fosters predictable demand and market access for African healthcare manufacturers, promoting local production. By implementing pooled procurement and fast-track approvals, it enhances industry capacity, quality and resilience against climate-driven health shocks and future pandemics.

More details

• The agreement is the outcome of over three years of negotiations, driven by the inequities highlighted during the global COVID-19 response. It serves as a central pillar of the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system. Adopted by consensus in a plenary session at the 78^th World Health Assembly, the agreement had already progressed through the committee stage with 124 votes in favour, none against, and 11 abstentions. It establishes a framework for enhanced international cooperation in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

• Under the agreement, the WHO will allocate supplies based on public health risk and need, prioritising developing countries. The aim is to prevent the supply imbalances that occurred during COVID-19, when low-income nations experienced delays in accessing life-saving products. Importantly, the agreement clarifies that it does not infringe upon national sovereignty; the WHO will not have the authority to impose travel bans, lockdowns, or public health mandates on countries. Parties maintain full control over their domestic policy decisions.

• Member States also approved the creation of a Coordinating Financial Mechanism and a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL). These mechanisms will facilitate rapid and affordable access to health products in emergencies and eliminate barriers to delivery in countries most in need.

• The next steps involve negotiating the operational details of the PABS system through an Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG). Once the annex on PABS is adopted, the agreement will be open for signature and ratification by Member States, coming into force after 60 countries have ratified it. This marks only the second international agreement negotiated under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, following the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control adopted in 2003.

• In February 2024, the African Union approved the Africa Pooled Procurement Mechanism to consolidate medicine demand and reduce costs through collective bargaining. Supervised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, this mechanism builds upon earlier initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area-anchored Pharmaceutical Initiative. The WHO Pandemic Agreement, adopted in May 2025, strengthens this effort by promoting joint procurement, supporting regulatory harmonisation, and encouraging regional manufacturing, particularly for pandemic-related medical products.

• For African countries, the agreement provides clearer frameworks for securing essential supplies during health emergencies. It also introduces tools such as the Coordinating Financial Mechanism and Global Supply Chain Network to ensure rapid and equitable delivery. These components bolster pooled procurement by offering financing options, enabling timely access, and enhancing supply security through shared logistics and planning.

• Pharmaceutical manufacturers stand to gain from stable, aggregate demand and streamlined approvals under the new WHO framework. The agreement's provision for 20% rapid access from real-time production volumes creates predictable supply channels, incentivising investment in local and regional production while enhancing capacity and competitiveness. For suppliers participating in Africa’s pooled procurement systems, this could mean guaranteed volumes and entry into global health procurement networks.

Our take

• This is the second international agreement negotiated under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, and its outcome could either signify a landmark in multilateral solidarity or represent another case of unmet promises, depending on what happens next. 

• For many in Africa, this presents an opportunity to address long-standing global health disparities; however, it lacks enforceable rules and secured funding. Without these crucial elements, poorer nations may once again experience delayed access to essential supplies while wealthier countries prioritise their own needs during crises. 

• In an era of rising nationalism and budget constraints, the commitment to global health solidarity is diminishing. Unless this trend changes, the treaty risks repeating past failures instead of preventing future ones. Especially since the US withdrew from the WHO a few months ago.