IFPMA Calls for Practical Pathogen Access System as Ebola and Hantavirus Outbreaks Expose Pandemic Preparedness Gaps
核心洞察
The IFPMA (搜索) warns that recent Ebola (搜索) and Hantavirus (搜索) outbreaks reveal critical gaps in pandemic preparedness, with neither virus listed as a top R&D priority among public health experts.
Emerging trends toward restricted-use pathogen data sharing risk undermining scientific response and the broader innovation ecosystem, creating uncertainty for researchers.
R&D pipelines for emerging infectious disease vaccines and therapeutics remain "critically thin" and must be expanded through strengthened innovation ecosystems and enabling conditions.
The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA (搜索)) has issued urgent calls for practical, innovation-friendly approaches to pandemic preparedness, warning that recent outbreaks of Ebola (搜索) and Hantavirus (搜索) have exposed persistent gaps in the global system for preventing and responding to infectious disease emergencies.
Speaking at the UN Multi-Stakeholder Hearing on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPPR) in New York on 9 June, and in a subsequent statement ahead of the seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG 7) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the IFPMA (搜索) emphasized that neither Ebola (搜索) nor Hantavirus (搜索) was listed as a top R&D priority among public health experts — a fact that underscores the practical challenges still facing the global health community.
"The emergence of Hantavirus (搜索) and Ebola (搜索) outbreaks in recent weeks is the latest reminder of both the progress that has been made and of the gaps that remain," the IFPMA (搜索) stated. "They highlight the practical challenges that still need to be addressed — for example, neither of these viruses was listed as a top R&D priority among public health experts."
Thin R&D Pipelines and the Need for Expanded Innovation
The pharmaceutical industry group stressed that R&D pipelines for emerging infectious diseases vaccines and therapeutics are "critically thin and must be expanded." This assessment comes as companies continue to voluntarily mobilize research efforts during health emergencies, building on a track record that includes responses to Ebola (搜索), Mpox, and COVID-19.
"Companies have a clear track record of voluntarily stepping up in health emergencies," the IFPMA (搜索) noted. "As we are seeing now, companies have explored their pipelines, mobilized R&D, and are working with partners to advance solutions as rapidly as possible."
The organization highlighted that strengthening the innovation ecosystem — including intellectual property protections, incentives and risk-sharing mechanisms, and access to pathogens and data — is essential for effective preparedness. "Rapid and predictable access to pathogens and data underpins an effective response and depends on strong global collaboration that enables researchers and companies to engage early and at scale."
Concerns Over Restricted Data Sharing
A significant concern raised by the IFPMA (搜索) relates to emerging trends in how pathogens and data are being shared. The organization warned of a "clear shift away from open access systems historically used in outbreaks, toward more restricted-use arrangements," which it said creates uncertainty for researchers and can slow scientific understanding precisely when rapid collaboration is most critical.
"The use of such approaches during the Ebola (搜索) response illustrates these risks, and early indications suggest that these dynamics are already affecting how stakeholders engage with available data," the IFPMA (搜索) stated in its IGWG 7 submission.
The organization cautioned that the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) instrument under negotiation will not, by itself, generate medical countermeasures. "Its impact will depend on how it shapes access to pathogens and data which will either enable innovation or introduce delays and uncertainty that risk slowing it down."
Enabling Conditions Across the Response Chain
Beyond R&D, the IFPMA (搜索) identified several critical enabling conditions that must be in place before a crisis hits. These include predictable demand and financing with early "day zero" funding and clear procurement pathways, regulatory reliance and harmonization to accelerate approvals without duplication, strong health systems and delivery capacity including primary care and immunization infrastructure, and resilient supply chains free of trade barriers.
"Without these elements, even the most advanced innovations cannot translate into timely access for patients on the ground," the IFPMA (搜索) emphasized.
The organization also noted that a high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) leads to more severe morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases, making overall population health improvement a key component of pandemic preparedness.
Building on What Works
Looking ahead to the ongoing WHO Pandemic Agreement negotiations, the IFPMA (搜索) urged stakeholders to build on existing mechanisms that already enable rapid, open, and effective data sharing, including established international databases, while ensuring countries are supported to operationalize agreed access provisions.
"Introducing mandatory monetary contributions and other obligations would risk further weakening these pipelines by diverting scarce resources, disincentivizing investment and likely reduce company involvement," the organization warned.
The IFPMA (搜索) called on the UN General Assembly to reinforce the political support and long-term investment needed to ensure better future preparedness, emphasizing that the pharmaceutical industry "stands ready to continue partnering with governments, international organizations, and stakeholders to strengthen both the innovation ecosystem and the enabling conditions needed for effective pandemic preparedness and response."