The World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Governance, Accountability, and Transparency in the Pharmaceutical Sector was established in 2015 at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. Led by Dr. Quinn Grundy and supported by renowned scholars at the University of Toronto, Carleton University, the University of San Diego, and the University of San Francisco, this Centre is charged with conducting research, analysis, and training on critical issues related to governance in the public interest, transparency, and accountability in the pharmaceutical sector.

Currently, there are over 800 WHO collaborating centres in over 80 Member States working with WHO on areas such as mental health, communicable and chronic diseases, and new technologies in health care. This WHO Collaborating Centre assembles considerable expertise in governance in the pharmaceutical sector to contribute to knowledge generation, capacity building, training, and education in support of the global programs of the WHO. 

Our objectives are:

  • To assist WHO in conducting research and policy analysis on issues related to governance in pharmaceutical systems in support of WHO goals to improve access to safe, effective and quality assured medicines and other health products.
  • To support WHO in raising awareness and building capacity on the issues related to governance in pharmaceutical systems.
  • To support WHO in promoting research activities, sharing of knowledge and addressing knowledge gaps related to governance in pharmaceutical systems.

The activities of the WHO Collaborating Centre

Research and policy analysis

This WHO Collaborating Centre has a unique role and a wealth of expertise in governance in pharmaceutical systems such as transparency, accountability, anticorruption, conflict of interest, private sector interactions, trade and intellectual property provisions, and health data. We will conduct research and policy analyses and disseminate findings on these issues in support of the WHO Roadmap for Access and the new programme of action, the Economic and Commercial Determinants of Health, in the strategic areas of research and development, commercial determinants, procurement, and supply chain management, as well as fair pricing in pharmaceuticals.

Seminars, workshops and knowledge mobilization

We will regularly host public-facing seminars, workshops, and conferences that incorporate major themes related to governance, transparency, and accountability to discuss on-going research on selected topics, identify research gaps and priority research agendas, discuss potential collaborations, provide methodological and content expertise in a peer capacity, identify opportunities for knowledge mobilization, and enhance public discourse.

More information

For more information on WHO Collaborating Centres, visit the WHO website.