Statement on the Rio de Janiero Declaration of the G20 Health Ministers

By: FIFARMA, IFPMA, Interfarma

On 31^st October 2024, G20 countries published the Rio de Janeiro Declaration of the G20 Health Ministers.

Throughout their term as G20 President, Brazil has had a focus on a “resilient health systems” agenda, including achieving universal health coverage, strengthening health systems, and enhancing pandemic preparedness and response. The innovative pharmaceutical industry continues to be committed to supporting these priorities.

In April 2024, IFPMA, INTERFARMA and FIFARMA reiterated industry’s commitment to constructively engage and support the priorities of the G20 health agenda, including by advocating for:

• Preserving the policies and frameworks that enable health innovation;
• Improving our collective ability to prepare for and respond to future pandemics;
• Fostering a viable antibiotic R&D ecosystem;
• Promoting the convergence and harmonization of regulatory requirements; and
• Addressing neglected tropical diseases and climate change.
  

IFPMA, INTERFARMA and FIFARMA are pleased to see that the final Declaration seeks to address many of these priorities, with G20 countries:

• Supporting measures to achieve equitable access, including through healthcare systems strengthening; robust regulatory frameworks; and a skilled and a strong health workforce;
• Agreeing on “voluntary technology transfer on mutually agreed terms” for building collaborations;
• Strengthening pandemic preparedness and response, including supporting the Pandemic Fund and the conclusion of the Pandemic Treaty negotiations;
• Committing to address AMR, including welcoming the recent UN Political Declaration on AMR;
• Publishing a Ministerial Declaration on Climate Change and Health as well as a “One Health” approach, with measures to tackle reducing the impact of climate change on health, and on One Health, including on AMR.

As Brazil’s Presidency concludes with the Leaders’ Summit to take place on 18-19 November 2024, we extend our congratulations to them on a successful G20, and look forward to engaging with the next South African Presidency.

Dr. David Reddy, Director General, IFPMA said:

“The G20 Health Ministerial Declaration clearly sets out the need for global cooperation to overcome the biggest health challenges we face”.

“From tackling future pandemics to addressing climate change and the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the pharmaceutical industry and the medicines and vaccines we develop, remain central to our collective success”.

“We are determined to continue to act as a partner in developing the solutions we need to enhance innovation and improve equitable access to medicines and vaccines. These solutions can take many forms, such as product development partnerships, capacity-building, tiered pricing, and collaborations, including “voluntary technology transfer on mutually-agreed terms”.

Renato Porto, President, INTERFARMA, said:

“The G20, under the Presidency of Brazil, has achieved important results in advancing measures that will certainly contribute to expanding access to innovation in healthcare. The innovative industry is prepared to contribute and, more importantly, be part of this progress. A resilient healthcare system, and above all, one that secures access to patients when they need it, is a system that has several tools and access routes, under robust regulatory guidelines, and is committed to serving the population as they need it”.

Yaneth Giha, Executive Director, FIFARMA, said:

“Health is an investment, not an expense. Investing in health is an investment in life. Healthcare investments create profound social and economic impacts, driving prosperity across societies. According to the World Bank (2021), healthcare spending in Latin America increased from 6.73% of GDP in 2005 to 7.96% in 2019, though it still falls short of the global average of 10.34%. Despite this progress, private spending represents nearly half of the total, disproportionately affecting lower-income sectors. Achieving Universal Health Coverage is both a moral imperative and a pathway to economic growth and reduced inequality”.

“Aligned with the G20 Health Ministerial Declaration, we recognize that resilient health systems drive inclusive development and reduce disparities. The G20 has emphasized the role of health investments in fostering social development, particularly in addressing inequalities and promoting growth through strengthened healthcare systems. As stated in the Declaration, ‘investments in health are crucial for addressing inequalities and fostering social development through improved productivity, and sustainable and inclusive growth”.

“Together, we can build health systems that not only enhance the well-being of our citizens but also contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of our region”.

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