Global access to medicines and vaccines improves, but work remains

The latest Access to Medicine Index report shows progress in ensuring global access to medicines and vaccines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 requires continued improvements in access to medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has maintained its position as an industry leader in improving medicine access in poorer regions. According to the report, GSK possesses a clear strategy integrated into its overall business approach and remains strong in research and development. Novartis is closely following GSK, with other top-ranking companies including Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and Sanofi.

The Access to Medicine Foundation, an independent foundation based in Amsterdam, publishes the index every two years. It evaluates the efforts of 20 leading pharmaceutical companies to improve access to medicines and vaccines in 106 countries. The assessment considers factors such as company investment in research and development and the global distribution of their products.

The report highlights that eight companies now systematically consider how products can be made accessible in poorer countries during the development phase. However, further improvements are needed, especially concerning the development of medicines and vaccines for emerging infectious diseases. While the number of projects related to the coronavirus pandemic has increased, development work for other significant threats, such as Nipah or Zika viruses, remains limited.