The role of regulatory agencies in public health emergencies: A critical review of global approaches and challenges

Juliet Obioma Adione *

Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
 
Review
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2024, 13(02), 381–389.
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2024.13.2.2132
Publication history: 
Received on 25 September 2024; revised on 02 November 2024; accepted on 05 November 2024
 
Abstract: 
Regulatory agencies play a pivotal role in public health emergencies by ensuring that medical products, including vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, are rapidly available while maintaining safety and efficacy standards. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with past crises such as the Ebola and Zika outbreaks, exposed both strengths and vulnerabilities in global regulatory frameworks. This paper critically reviews the role of regulatory agencies in public health emergencies, synthesizing existing literature to present new insights into their operational challenges and the reliance strategies employed to bridge capacity gaps. By examining case studies, such as the reliance on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), this paper highlights the importance of global cooperation and reliance mechanisms in managing crises. Furthermore, it addresses challenges such as resource constraints, disparities in regulatory capacity, and ethical dilemmas faced when approving products based on limited data. The paper also explores the future direction of regulatory science, emphasizing the need for greater global regulatory convergence, capacity building, and the adoption of innovative digital tools. Ultimately, the paper argues that while reliance strategies are vital, long-term investment in national regulatory systems and global harmonization efforts are essential for a more equitable and effective response to future public health emergencies.
 
Keywords: 
Regulatory Agencies; Public Health Emergencies; Medical Products; Emergency Preparedness; Reliance; Vaccine Regulation; Accelerated Pathways; International Cooperation
 
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