SADC will review its pooled medical procurement scheme in Lusaka on 29 and 30 October 2026, focusing on pilot contracts, regional cooperation and Lenacapavir…reports Africa Daily News Desk
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will review progress on its pooled procurement of medical products initiative at a steering committee meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, on 29 and 30 October 2026. The meeting will focus on preparations for the first pilot contracts, regional cooperation and plans to strengthen access to quality medicines.
The fourth Steering Committee meeting of the SADC Pharmaceuticals Pooled Procurement Services (SPPS) will bring together representatives of member states and technical partners to assess progress against the initiative’s implementation roadmap.
Discussions will cover outstanding actions, operational requirements and the regulatory and financial arrangements needed to launch the pilot phase. The meeting will also seek to strengthen coordination among participating countries and partners.
A key item on the agenda will be the status of member states’ written expressions of commitment (WEC) and submissions of proposed pilot products. Participants will identify outstanding requirements, agree on corrective measures and establish responsibilities and deadlines for completing the necessary work.
The committee will also review progress towards consolidating regional demand for Lenacapavir, with a report examining the potential for regional manufacturing of the medicine. The assessment is intended to support decisions on the next steps and address issues that could delay the launch of the first pilot contracts.
The SADC initiative forms part of broader regional efforts to strengthen cooperation among member states in the procurement and manufacturing of medical products. By coordinating purchasing, the programme aims to improve access to quality, safe and effective medicines across the region.
How will SADC’s pooled procurement scheme work?
The Pharmaceuticals Pooled Procurement Services initiative seeks to strengthen collaboration between member states by coordinating the procurement of medical products. The approach is intended to support more effective purchasing arrangements and improve access to essential medicines.
The upcoming meeting will assess whether participating countries have met the commitments and requirements needed to move the initiative into its pilot phase. It will also examine outstanding operational, regulatory and financial issues, with the aim of agreeing on measures to keep implementation on track.
Progress on regional demand consolidation for Lenacapavir will form another part of the discussions, particularly in relation to the possibility of manufacturing the medicine within the region.
The steering committee’s review is expected to help establish the actions, responsibilities and timelines needed to advance the initiative towards its first pilot contracts.
