WHO collaborating centres are defined as institutions such as research institutes, parts of universities or academies, which are designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to carry out activities in support of the Organization's programmes (see https://www.who.int/collaboratingcentres/en/).
‘As early as 1949, the Second World Health Assembly laid down the policy (which has been constantly followed since) that the Organization should not consider "the establishment, under its own auspices, of international research institutions" and the "research in the field of health is best advanced by assisting, coordinating and making use of the activities of existing institutions".’
Source: https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/structure/collaborating-centres
The importance of the Department’s activities in the areas of pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement has been acknowledged by the WHO that nominated in 2010, and re-designated in 2014, 2018 and 2022, the Pharmacoeconomics Department as WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Policies.
© GÖG, WHO CC Team photo, March 2022
WHO Collaborating Centre and Pharmacoeconomics Department
Most of the activities of the Pharmacoeconomics Department also fall under the scope of work agreed between the WHO Collaborating Centre and WHO. According to the current Terms of Reference, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Policies is tasked:
- Upon WHO’s request and leadership to provide scientific advice and technical assistance to WHO and Member States on how to use and interpret price information of medicines and other health products and on developing, implementing and monitoring pricing, procurement and reimbursement policies in this field.
- Under WHO's leadership, to further develop and refine the methodology to define, measure, compare, collect, analyze and report the price, availability and affordability of medicines and other health products.
- Upon WHO’s leadership, to support in promoting market transparency and information sharing between Member States through training with a view to strengthening national or regional capacities.