The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, FIND, and Unitaid hosted a high-level meeting to discuss the establishment of an R&D and manufacturing network for diagnostics. Manufacturers and international organizations attended the meeting to provide recommendations on creating a sustainable diagnostic manufacturing network.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for quality and affordable medical countermeasures worldwide. The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, FIND, and Unitaid recognized this need and hosted a meeting to discuss the creation of a sustainable diagnostic manufacturing network.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, FIND, and Unitaid hosted a high-level meeting to strengthen cooperation and enable sustainable development and manufacturing of effective, quality, and affordable diagnostic countermeasures.
The meeting aimed to provide recommendations to the G20 and its Member States and international partners on the establishment of an R&D and manufacturing network for diagnostics.
Representatives of the Government of India and G20 Member States, international organizations, and over 20 diagnostics manufacturers from around the world attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed the regional development of diagnostics products through region-appropriate research and decentralized production of diagnostics to help reduce disparities, enhance health security, including pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities, support UHC, and contribute to regional economic growth.
The manufacturers showed their interest in establishing partnerships to facilitate the transfer of technology, know-how, and capacity building.
They stressed the need for countries to develop national diagnostic strategies with concrete budget allocations and procurement frameworks prioritizing sourcing of regionally manufactured tests.
They also highlighted the need for governments and development partners to continue strengthening regulatory mechanisms and make clear commitments to facilitate harmonization and fast-track regulatory processes for regionally manufactured products.
The meeting recommended funding to create and maintain capacity for coordinated global manufacturing, R&D, and technology transfer.
The G20 second health working group meeting has outlined “Strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector with a focus on availability & access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable medical countermeasures — diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics” as a key priority.