While diphtheria is a rare disease in the EU and the spread has been under control and largely prevented through vaccination, occasional cases persist. With a decrease in cases worldwide, including the EU/EEA, there are very few manufacturers of diphtheria antitoxin, making it more difficult for Member States to access the product.

HERA has carried out the joint procurement to facilitate access of the member states to the medicine. This voluntary mechanism offers participating countries a possibility to jointly procure medical countermeasures as an alternative or complement to procurement at national level. The aim of the joint procurement mechanism is to secure equitable access to specific medical countermeasures and to improve the security of supply, thereby contributing to the prevention of and preparedness for potential future health crises.

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