SITE MODULES
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The OIC Program on Achieving Self Reliance in Vaccine Production (SRVP) In The Islamic World |
| |
-
The Eight Islamic Summit of the OIC held in Tehran in December, 1997 adopted strategies presented by the IDB towards the Preparation of the Ummah for the 21st Century in the areas of education, health, human resources development and intra trade.
-
The IDB formed a Task Force that comprised of experts in the field of Health. The Task Force held two meetings to select the most critical area of intervention under Health. After reviewing several options, the IDB Management selected the subject of "Self-Reliance in Vaccine Production in the Islamic World" considering that vaccination bears a potential positive impact on the health of future generation of the Ummah. Therefore, every member country can either participate in or have the opportunity to benefit from the SRVP program.
-
In October, 1999, a conference on the subject of vaccine production was held in Tehran, where the participants endorsed the IDB Program on Self-Reliance in Vaccine Production (SRVP).
-
Effective worldwide implementation of vaccination during the past decades had been one of the most successful program in communicable diseases prevention, control and eradication. Universal application of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) with the help of WHO, UNICEF and other international organizations has shown the effectiveness of multilateral cooperation in combating preventable diseases with high rate of morbidity and mortality especially in the developing countries.
-
At present, the international community has managed to obtain the understanding of major vaccine producers to increase the affordability of vaccines by recognizing the varying ability of countries to pay the true value of vaccines and hence the tiered pricing of vaccines. It has also been possible to maintain the prices of the 6 basic antigens for infants (BCG, DPT, OPV and measles) at nearly the same level for many years. For other vaccines, some of which are recommended to be added to routine schedule, e.g. Hepatitis-B (HBV) and Hamophitus Influenza b (Hib), vaccine producers are increasing prices in an uncolored way that has negatively affected continuation of vaccination against these diseases in some countries.
-
Except for very few countries of the OIC which are exporting some vaccines, most of the countries are unable to have their vaccines exported mainly due to the fact that they do not satisfy the international quality standards. Such certification is controlled by an independent national control authority exercising the 6 essential functions recommended by the WHO. Vaccine producing countries are required to carry out the required control functions, whereas countries sourcing vaccines from means other than local production need to ensure quality of vaccines by adopting some of these functions.
-
|