he approval was reached at their recent 68th meeting in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi. The nature of the mechanism, however, was not announced.

The ministers called on their respective governments to benefit from Oman’s experience and create strategic national stockpiles in each member state to be used at times of emergencies and national disasters.

The ministers also agreed on the conclusions reached by the GCC’s technical committees on awarding tenders for 31 pharmaceutical products, 24 vaccines and 17 chemical substitutes, and have designated an executive office to announce tenders for 2010.

They also agreed to urge member states to report to the GCC health ministers, medical companies that are able to meet their contracts in supplying goods in a timely and efficient manner as agreed in their contracts.

They also advised that such reporting is done via the GCC electronic link.