Georgetown, Guyana — 9 February 2026 - With the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Ministry of Health of Guyana, in collaboration with the European Union (EU), launched a regional workshop aimed at strengthening regulatory systems for medicines and health technologies across the Caribbean. The initiative was funded by the EU and implemented by the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) of Lithuania. The three‑day workshop, held in Georgetown from 2–4 February, brought together regulatory experts from the Caribbean and Europe as part of a broader project that supported improvements in regulatory activities for medicines in Guyana, Barbados, and the wider Caribbean region. The meeting focused on advancing regulatory harmonization, enhancing access to quality‑assured medicines, and fostering stronger collaboration among national and regional regulatory authorities.
The workshop forms part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and long-standing cooperation with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and national ministries of health. It emphasizes the importance of trusted, resilient regulatory environments.
H.E. Luca Pierantoni, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Guyana, Suriname, and CARICOM, emphasized that “Regional integration thrives on trust. The primary goal of this workshop is to build that trust—creating space for you to work together, network, connect, and maintain those connections. We remain committed to being present and supporting the development of the sector both in the region and in Guyana. This aligns with our Global Gateway approach, the EU’s flagship initiative worldwide to foster sustainable partnerships and advance development.”
PAHO PWR commended Guyana’s commitment to strengthening public health protections.
“Strong regulatory systems are essential to protecting public health; they ensure that every medicine, vaccine, and medical device used in our countries is safe, effective, and of assured quality,” said Dr. Kim Eva Dickson, PAHO/WHO Representative.
The Minister of Health reflected on lessons from the COVID‑19 pandemic, which exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and reinforced the importance of regional preparedness.
“Our job is that we need to be better prepared… to start thinking more strategically about how we decentralize access to essential medicines so that every region can protect its population,” stated Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health.
A key feature of the EU’s renewed support is the PharmaNext programme, which will strengthen pharmaceutical value chains and regulatory capacity across the Caribbean, with Guyana positioned as a strategic partner.
Guyana’s ongoing investments, including a state‑of‑the‑art Food and Drug laboratory, digitalization of regulatory processes, expanded clinical research capacity, and development of a Life Sciences Park, aim to build a modern, resilient pharmaceutical ecosystem for the region.
PAHO/WHO and the EU confirmed their commitment to providing technical collaboration and continued engagement with partners as the workshop advances shared priorities for regulatory strengthening and improved public health outcomes.
