Equitable access to pathogens and countermeasures: is the pandemic agreement's pathogen access and benefit-sharing system the answer to Africa's future health security?

The Lancet Regional Health - Africa 2026 Open access

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Authors: Adebisi Adenipekun, Janet Wesonga, Charles Shey Wiysonge, Jinal N. Bhiman, Alex Riolexus Ario, Ademola J. Ajuwon, Neveen Antouny, Seydou Doumbia, Gift Kadzamira, Florah Karimi, Hamidou Maïga, Vimbai Mukwekwezeke
+9 more Alhaji N’jai, Paul Sib, Samuel Thumbi Mwangi, Chinedu Ugwu, Christine Sekaggya Wiltshire, Sultani Hadley Matendechero, Alice Norton, Uzma Alam, Sheetal Prakash Silal
DOI: 10.1016/j.lanafr.2026.100111
Cited by: 1
References: 3

Abstract

The Intergovernmental Working Group, established under the WHO Pandemic Agreement resolution 78.1, led negotiations towards the provisions and implementation pathway for the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS) Annex ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly,1 with a decision to extend negotiations for another year.2 The PABS system aims to provide a governance structure that enables a two-way pathway for rapidly sharing genetic sequence data on pathogens with pandemic potential and reciprocity in the distribution of the resulting benefits from using the data.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research Zoonotic diseases and public health COVID-19 Digital Contact Tracing

Publication details

Journal / source
The Lancet Regional Health - Africa
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Pages
100111–100111
Publication date
1 July 2026
Language
EN