Ethiopia's Tedros has tough but doable task as WHO boss - global pharma group

In its congratulatory message to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) says the task ahead of the new World Health Organization (WHO) chief was challenging but doable.

Dr. Tedros was elected Director-General of the WHO last week (May 23) at a meeting of the World Health Assembly – the WHO’s major decision making body – in Geneva, Switzerland.

The IFPMA Director General said his outfit were ready to liaise with Tedros to deliver quality healthcare to people across the world. “Today, WHO leadership and coordination is ever more crucial to ensure continued effective prioritization and response in an increasingly complex health landscape,” Thomas Cueni noted.

He added that as a UN-affiliated body, ‘IFPMA remains fully committed to playing an active role in the fight against the burden of disease and greatly look forward to supporting the WHO’s efforts.

The group’s statement also reiterated their preparedness to support the Tedros-led WHO to ensure it ‘is fit for purpose and appropriately funded as old and emerging health challenges.’

Tedros, a former health and foreign affairs minister of Ethiopia will take office next month as the world’s top doctor. He is the first African to rise to the post and also the first non-physician to be voted into office.

According to industry players, the 52-year-old just scaled the lesser hurdle by winning the keys to the plush Geneva offices and a job that will earn him over 240,000 per year. Soon as he is officially sworn in the hard realities would need to be dealt with head-on.

The WHO came under lots of flak over its emergency response to the Ebola outbreak in 2014. The body is facing internal quakes – the most recent being that in 2016, it spent more on travels than on AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria combined. Then there is the fundraising challenges following US moves to cut support to UN bodies.

On behalf of IFPMA Congrats DrTedros for winning top WHO job. Well done. Here's our statement https://t.co/plZMr2qbCI

— Thomas B. Cueni (ThomasCueni) May 24, 2017

Who are the IFPMA?

IFPMA represents research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations across the globe.

The research-based pharmaceutical industry’s 2 million employees research, develop and deliver medicines and vaccines that improve the life of patients worldwide.

Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community find solutions that improve global health.

IFPMA advocates policies and practices that encourage the discovery of and access to life-saving and life-enhancing medicines and vaccines, for people everywhere.