Indian Delegation Heads to Netherlands for 2nd World Local Production Forum

A high-level Indian delegation, led by Bhagwant Khuba, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, is set to depart for the Netherlands to participate in the 2nd World Local Production Forum (WLPF) from November 6 to 8, 2023. The event, organized at The Hague, will serve as a platform for international collaboration and discussion on vital issues related to global health and pharmaceuticals.

During the visit, an important Memorandum of Intent (MOI) is expected to be signed between India and the Netherlands, focusing on cooperation in the field of medical product regulation. This agreement aims to bolster ties and facilitate the exchange of expertise in the regulation of medical products between the two countries.

Bhagwant Khuba's itinerary also includes a visit to the European Medicines Agency, a pivotal regulatory body responsible for the evaluation and supervision of medicinal products across the European Union. The Minister's trip will be further enriched by his participation in the Kannada Rajyotsava 2023 Celebrations organized by the Gandha Holland Kannada Balaga in Eindhoven.

The World Local Production Forum is an initiative championed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to enhance global access to medicines and other health technologies. By providing a regular platform for Member States and the international community, the WLPF aims to shape strategies, encourage collective action, and nurture partnerships that promote sustainable local production. These efforts are critical to ensure timely and equitable access to high-quality health products. The Local Production and Assistance (LPA) Unit at the WLPF Secretariat has been working closely with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is hosting the event, to organize this important forum.

Participation in the 2nd WLPF offers India a unique opportunity to engage with other nations and multilateral organizations. The focus will be on strengthening global pharmaceutical supply chains and showcasing India's significant contributions to the pharma sector. With the primary goal of addressing key challenges in promoting local production and technology transfer, the event will explore opportunities and mechanisms to overcome bottlenecks and encourage sustainable local production capacity. This will ultimately lead to improved access to quality, safe, and effective health products and technologies.

The 2nd WLPF is anticipated to bring together approximately 800 high-level participants from diverse sectors, including relevant ministers and senior government officials, international organization leaders, representatives from international and regional finance institutions, private sector stakeholders, civil society, and academia. India's participation in this event is particularly relevant, as it is a major player in the global pharmaceutical supply chain and contributes significantly to global public healthcare outcomes in an affordable and quality-conscious manner.

As the Indian delegation embarks on this crucial journey, expectations are high for fruitful discussions, the sharing of best practices, and the generation of actionable recommendations that will fortify local production capacities and enhance global health security.