WS 11 - Access to Medicines through Innovation

The aim of this workshop is to identify how political stakeholders should respond to the issue of supply shortages of essential medicines, an issue affecting both developing and developed countries today. Despite the pharmaceutical industry, research and development being globally interwoven, availability of essential medicines remains a key issue.

Policy responses require concerted action and coordinated approaches. In line with SDG 3, governments have committed to health and wellbeing as a universal objective, ensuring access for all individuals to safe, effective and affordable medicines. Several initiatives including the ‘Lancet Commission on Access to Medicines’ and a high level panel endorsed by the UN Secretary General have analyzed gaps and possible solutions forward in existing responses.

The latest UN Report on Access to Medicine regarding conclusions on joint priority actions will be presented. The ensuing discussion will focus on expectations regarding the Fair Prices Forum, provision of resources, global and local regulation and implementation, as well as possibilities for follow up actions.