Statement: WHO welcomes launch of UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children
23 March 2012

The Commission “has one critical objective: to make affordable and effective medicines and health supplies available to the women and children who need them most. Worldwide, 358,000 women currently die during pregnancy and childbirth every year. Every year an estimated 7.6 million children die before their fifth birthday because of preventable and treatable conditions…The major obstacles are inefficient procurement and supply systems, poor partner collaboration, and lack of crucial reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health commodities on national essential medicines lists. Solving bottlenecks in these areas would radically help country health systems function better, enabling more people have access to vital health services.”

“Drawing on the best evidence available today, the Commission will recommend changes in the way life-saving commodities like oxytocin, misoprostol, magnesium sulfate, zinc and amoxicillin are made available, distributed and used. The Commission will also review and make recommendations regarding essential but underutilized contraceptives, like the female condom, hormonal implants, and emergency contraceptives.

“Co-chairs President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of Norway, together with a wide range of Commissioners including private sector CEOs, NGO representatives, government ministers, representatives from donor organizations, social media leaders, and other experts “will use high-level advocacy to translate technical knowledge into political action.” UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake and UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin will serve as Vice-Chairs. The Commission is working in support of Every Woman, Every Child – the unprecedented global movement spearheaded by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to save 16 million lives by 2015. It aims to finalize its recommendations for action by June 2012, and release its final report shortly afterwards.

WHO “actively contributed to the development of background materials for the commission. The Organization will continue to play an active role in following up on its forthcoming recommendations in country and regional settings, providing policy advice to governments. WHO will focus on regulatory processes for commodities, support prequalification of medicines and other health supplies, and contribute to negotiations of public sector price for these commodities.”

http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/news/un_commission/en/index.html