Washington, D.C., August 12, 2026.– The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), convened a regional technical webinar to strengthen medicines quality assurance, laboratory testing capacity, and regulatory systems across the Caribbean. The event brought together 84 participants from Ministries of Health, regulatory authorities, quality control laboratories, procurement agencies, academia, and partner organizations, drawing representation from across 16 Caribbean countries in the subregion.
The webinar, “Strengthening Medicines Quality through Laboratory Testing: The United States Pharmacopeia”, formed part of the PAHO-CARPHA technical webinar series aimed at enhancing regulatory strengthening, laboratory quality assurance, and the adoption of internationally recognized standards for medicines oversight.
During the event, experts from USP presented an overview of the organization’s role in developing quality standards and science-based solutions used globally to support the quality of medicines. Participants also learned about USP standards, reference materials, analytical methodologies, and educational resources that can support regulatory authorities and laboratories in the Caribbean.
During a roundtable discussion featuring representatives from national medicines quality control laboratories in Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, alongside CARPHA’s Medicines Quality Control and Surveillance Department, speakers shared experiences in applying USP standards and discussed opportunities to strengthen collaboration, harmonization, and technical cooperation across the region.
Participants emphasized the importance of strong post-market surveillance systems and laboratory testing in detecting and preventing substandard and falsified medicines. Discussions underscored how harmonized, science-based standards can support evidence-based regulatory decision-making and facilitate more coordinated regulatory action among Caribbean countries.
The webinar concluded with a renewed commitment from PAHO, CARPHA, USP, and regional stakeholders to continue strengthening laboratory networks, regulatory systems, and access to technical resources and training. These efforts contribute to ensuring that people throughout the Caribbean have access to safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines.
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a non-state actor in official relations with PAHO. It is a private, non-profit scientific organization that collaborates with stakeholders around the world to develop public quality standards and science-based solutions to help increase the supply of quality medicines. Through rigorous science and collaboration with governments, industry, and health experts worldwide, USP helps strengthen regulatory systems. Used in more than 150 countries, USP standards and solutions are widely recognized across the region and are frequently referenced in regulatory frameworks and quality control practices.
