BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (GIS) – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley is optimistic that targeted gene testing for people of African descent would assist health care professionals to produce pharmaceuticals to treat and solve complex medical problems.
Mottley and minister of industry, innovation, science and technology, Marsha Caddle, shared their vision for an expanded pharmaceutical industry during a recent joint-signing ceremony and press conference with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at Ilaro Court.
The letter of intent was signed between Export Barbados and BioMed X, with Mottley and Von der Leyen witnessing the event.
Caddle stated that through the agreement, they were striving to build out the sector, especially in the area of research. “The populations that are represented in this region are under-represented in biotechnology and biomedical research. [However], Barbados has developed quite a bit of information about ourselves and our populations,” Caddle said. “We now have an opportunity, through the use of molecular technology and artificial intelligence research, to bring those methodologies to bear on the data we collect . . . to understand what the health profiles of people are who look and sound like us.”
In agreement, Mottley proffered the view that there had been very little research done in the pharmaceutical industry for conditions that were “based on our genes as persons of African descent”.
“You heard minister Caddle say there has been very little research done in the pharmaceutical industry for conditions that are based on our genes as persons of African descent. Indeed, the numbers for diabetes I am told that are available, less than seven per cent of the persons tested come from African background.
“To that extent, it is a great concern to us because I often say in our country that we are suffering from a diabetes epidemic and therefore the pharmacological efficacy of the pharmaceuticals really does matter to us… .”
Mottley pointed out that while some people did not understand the information coming from press conferences, she stressed that they were beneficial to Barbadians suffering from diabetes complications, such as kidney disease, blindness, or those who had a limb amputated.
The prime minister acknowledged that the parameters for a pharmaceutical’s partnership framework had already been established, and government was pressing ahead with plans to see if the country could attract foreign companies and facilitate more research.
“It was due to cooperation from the European Union that Barbados was able to launch its white book on the regulatory framework for the pharmaceutical industry. We continue now to be able to move to the next stage with respect to the legislative framework as well as the establishment of the regulatory mechanisms that are critical for us to be able to attract companies here to do manufacturing of pharmaceuticals . . . and research in critical areas,” Mottley explained.
Meanwhile, Von der Leyen said the Commission was pleased to work with Barbados and other CARICOM states on projects related to climate change, the use of Sargassum, and biomedicine.
“We are also working on the health sector. Both of us learned bitter lessons in COVID and how vulnerable we are. Therefore, we support your pharmaceutical sovereignty. That means vaccines and medications produced in the Caribbean, for the Caribbean, but also to be a hub.”
During the ceremony, Barbados officially launched the Renewstable Barbados Project, a joint initiative between the European Union and leading French company HDF Energy.
The signed document paved the way for Barbados’ first green hydrogen storage project, to provide a reliable, stable and clean electricity supply.
Prime Minister Mottley and minister of energy and business, senator Lisa Cummins, underscored the importance of the project while pointing to the support from international agencies.
“It allows for the stability and supply of power to the grid in a way that solar doesn’t. Therefore, the combination of the two becomes even more important to us,” Mottley said.
Meanwhile, minister Cummins disclosed that government was relatively far along with the project.
“We are very pleased that we have not only been able to launch the project, but we have been able to conclude the majority of the negotiation processes. We have completed the connection impact assessment to allow for the technical work for the project to be brought to closure and we have seen with the European Union a landmark collaboration of a number of development partners.”
Related:Barbados opens research-only laboratory
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