21 October 2025, Beirut, Lebanon – The Ministry of Public Health, with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a national workshop on reforms in the pharmaceutical sector.

The workshop – Reform prescription: reshaping the pharmaceutical sector for access, affordability and accountability, held in Beirut on 17 October – brought together senior officials, technical experts and representatives from professional organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector to help shape a comprehensive reform roadmap for Lebanon’s pharmaceutical system.

In his opening remarks Minister of Public Health H.E. Dr Rakan Nassereldine reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to transparency and equitable access to quality medicines.

“Reform and rescue is the defining vision of the current government, and for the Ministry of Public Health it is a daily mission. We are convinced that Lebanon will recover only through reform, deep and systemic reform. And that only through strengthening our institutions can we heal our health system, empower our people and restore the vitality of our economy.”

In closing, Dr Nassereldine concluded: “Allow me to speak not only as Minister but as a citizen who believes in this country’s capacity to reinvent itself. Lebanon’s story has never been a surrender, it is one of persistence and reinvention. With your collective expertise and commitment we can turn this workshop into a turning point towards recovery and growth.”

Ms Alessandra Viezzer, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Lebanon, emphasized the EU’s continued support to build a stronger, fairer and more resilient health system. “Today’s workshop is an encouraging step forward. By focusing on pharmaceutical reform we are tackling a vital issue, one that can truly improve access, lower costs and increase trust in the system. Since 2015, the EU has contributed over €75 million to strengthen the national medication system. As a development partner, we always work towards one main goal – national system building”.

Deputy WHO Representative in Lebanon Dr Yutaro Setoya underlined how pharmaceutical reform lies at the heart of public health security and equity: “By investing in pharmaceutical governance, Lebanon is investing in its people, its credibility and its future. The establishment of the Lebanese Drug Agency and the modernization of governance, digital systems and manufacturing standards are vital milestones towards a stronger and more transparent health system.”

Dr Setoya highlighted how the longstanding WHO–EU–Ministry of Public Health partnership has secured access to essential medicines for over a million beneficiaries and supported digital initiatives such as MediTrack, Lebanon’s national medicine traceability system.

The Ministry of Public Health, with the technical collaboration of WHO, is leading a major EU-funded programme to strengthen good manufacturing practices (GMP) and prepare Lebanon for the Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme.

The workshop built on efforts to advance reforms in regulatory systems, GMP, health technology assessment, pharmacovigilance and digital innovation. Throughout the day, participants engaged in thematic working groups on governance, quality and safety, supply chains and digitization and support to local pharmaceutical production. Each group identified priority actions to inform the pharmaceutical reform roadmap that will guide the implementation of policy and regulatory measures in alignment with the broader health sector reform framework.

The initiative marked a key milestone in Lebanon’s efforts to modernize its pharmaceutical system and ensure access, affordability and accountability.