New INTERPOL – WHO agreement targets illegal trade in human organs, falsified drugs

Kampala, Uganda | URN | The World Health Organisation (WHO) has signed a cooperation agreement with INTERPOL aimed at tackling some of the most pressing threats at the intersection of public health and security.

The agreement, which establishes a framework to combine INTERPOL’s law enforcement expertise with WHO’s public health leadership for joint action to prevent, detect and respond to risks that endanger lives, has its major focus on tackling the trafficking of persons for organ removal, along with the illegal trade in human organs, tissues and cells.

In a statement shared after signing the agreement, INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said the cooperation comes in handy at a time when crime and health are increasingly interconnected.

“From falsified medical products to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, criminal networks are putting lives at risk. This agreement strengthens our ability to work with the World Health Organization to protect communities and ensure that those who threaten them are brought to justice”, he said.

The agreement focuses on strengthening collaboration in exceptional situations that require coordinated health and security action, including incidents involving the suspected misuse of chemical or radioactive materials and unusual biological events, whether naturally occurring, accidental or deliberate. According to the statement, the organizations will also coordinate efforts around major international events and mass gatherings, helping countries better prepare for, and respond to, potential health threats in high-visibility settings.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Health security is global security. By deepening our collaboration with INTERPOL, we are reinforcing our collective ability to prevent harm, respond to emergencies, and protect people from threats that undermine both health systems and public trust.” Other areas listed for joint action between the two global entities include addressing the growing threat of illicit production and trade in goods that directly impact public health, such as falsified medical products including medicines, vaccines and medical devices, counterfeit personal protective equipment, unsafe or fraudulently labelled food and drinks in addition to illegally produced alcohol.

Through joint efforts, the statement says the organizations will support countries in identifying these threats, protecting consumers and reinforcing international frameworks designed to keep people safe.

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