The Quality Of Lifesaving Medicines: A New Investment Strategy

The Concept Foundation recently hosted a side event at the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Forum on the quality of lifesaving medicines. Participants in the Quality of Life-Saving Medicines: A New Investment Strategy panel discussion noted that with decreasing aid assistance to developing countries, there is a need for new strategies and funding sources created by countries themselves to address their own issues with the quality of lifesaving medicines. While securing charitable or private investments does not always require countries to provide financial returns, it does require an attractive business case, an enabling ecosystem, and the promise of goodwill or reputational gain for the investor.

During the event, a speaker from Thinkthrough Consulting, Parul Soni, drew attention to the need for sound monitoring systems and appropriate messaging to ensure that every dollar spent translates to improved health outcomes. Others panelists included Ashutosh Garg, Founder of Guardian Pharmacy, Amithab Mehta, International Finance Lead Specialist Public Private Partnerships at The World Bank, Dr. Agarwal, Member on the National Executive Committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Elizabeth Lule, Board Member, Concept Foundation, and Fiona Theunissen, Program Manager, Maternal Health from Concept Foundation.