The Essential Medicines and Health Technologies (EMT) unit supports Member States in building resilient pharmaceutical systems and regulatory frameworks that ensure equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable medical products and health technologies. The unit works closely with other programmes to advance universal health coverage (UHC) and accelerate efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across the Western Pacific Region.

This is achieved through:

• Strengthening pharmaceutical systems to support evidence-based selection, procurement and supply management, financing, price control, and appropriate use of medicines.
• Strengthening national regulatory systems through WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) assessment and Institutional Development Plans, regulatory convergence and cooperation, regional regulatory networks, and targeted capacity-building initiatives.
• Supporting a whole-system approach to improve access to essential medical products through strengthened policies, legislation, financing, procurement and supply systems, and rational use, while promoting quality, safety and efficacy, antimicrobial stewardship, and climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
• Tackling AMR by promoting multisectoral national action plans, strengthening country systems, and improving awareness and behavioural change to combat AMR across the Region.