EPN Advances Pharmaceutical Priorities at World Health Summit 2026

EPN Executive Director Richard Neci participated in the World Health Summit 2026 in Berlin, Germany, contributing to discussions on local pharmaceutical manufacturing, pooled procurement, and strengthening health systems for improved access to quality-assured medicines. During a roundtable on local manufacturing, he highlighted the importance of including faith-based organisations (FBOs) in Africa’s continental pharmaceutical strategies, drawing […]

EPN is pleased to invite registration for the 10th EPN Biennial Forum 2026, taking place from 5 to 9 October 2026 at Ciêla Resort & Spa, Lusaka, Zambia. Hosted in collaboration with the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) and Pharmaceutical Systems Africa (PharmaConnect Africa), the Forum will convene health leaders, policymakers, pharmaceutical professionals, faith-based organizations, […]

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a reality that many African health systems had long experienced: when global supply chains are disrupted, access to essential medicines becomes uncertain. For a continent that bears nearly 25% of the global disease burden but produces only about 3% of the world’s pharmaceuticals, dependence on imported medicines presents a significant challenge […]

  EPN, in collaboration with SAPICS, Bee Skilled, CMCOMMS, and IAPHL, invites health supply chain professionals, pharmacists, policymakers, regulators, and healthcare leaders to participate in the first webinar of the series Managing Quality of Health Products Throughout the Supply Chain. Webinar 1: Weak Quality Management Disrupts Gains Achieved in Supply Chain Strengthening will explore the […]

The increasing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) continues to undermine global health gains, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to diagnostics, appropriate treatment, AMR awareness, and antimicrobial stewardship systems remains limited. This has led to a threat to both human and animal health, hence leading to the WHO listing AMR as one of […]

Access to quality-assured medicines and pharmaceutical care remains a critical component of achieving Universal Health Coverage. While training healthcare workers is essential, sustainable improvements in pharmaceutical services also require supportive policies, strong partnerships, and coordinated action across health systems. To advance these efforts, the Improving Pharmaceutical Access through Continuous Training (IMPACT) Project recently convened policy and […]

The Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) invites the submission of abstracts for the 10th EPN Forum 2026, taking place in Lusaka, Zambia, from 5–9 October 2026, in partnership with the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) and Pharmaconnect Africa. Under the theme “Sustainable and Resilient Health Systems for Last-Mile Access in Africa,” the Forum will provide a […]

Across Africa, healthcare systems continue to face recurring medicine shortages, high medicine costs, procurement delays, and supply chain disruptions. While the continent carries nearly 25% of the global disease burden, Africa currently produces only about 3% of the world’s pharmaceuticals and imports between 70% and 80% of finished medicines. Vaccine dependency remains even higher, with […]

The Improving Pharmaceutical Access through Continuous Training (IMPACT) Project, supported by Action Medeor and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is working to enhance access to and quality of pharmaceutical care in rural areas across Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. The project focuses on strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers in key […]

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis, responsible for an estimated 1.27 million deaths annually, with Africa bearing a disproportionate burden. Despite its impact, awareness at the community level remains limited, and behaviours such as inappropriate antibiotic use, self-medication, and incomplete treatment continue to drive resistance. Faith communities are among the most trusted and […]