Access to Medicines: Part I - the affordability challenges
29.05.13
Product development partnerships are now making inroads into the deficit in available medicines for neglected diseases. The industry has committed that those neglected disease medicines available today will be supplied on a sustainable basis.
There is today a much stronger level of understanding among the key players of each others’ perspectives which provides a strong basis for future dialogue. This was particularly evident in the consensus around the need to focus and sustain investment in R&D at a time when new health needs are emerging for which research is urgently needed.
However, as WHO emphasised, many diseases are now global in their impact. We need new approaches to access which will support continued investment in R&D while responding to issues of affordability and addressing a wider range of healthcare needs. The industry outlined the potential of an approach based on differential pricing, in which prices are aligned to affordability. This also means taking into account the needs of the poorest patients in our approach to pricing. To be successful, this approach needs to be supported by policy makers and the industry's actions need to be matched by those of other stakeholders to ensure that the wider barriers to access are also addressed.
In the following debate members discussed the initiatives in this which are already underway. The feasibility of the approach is becoming clearer. A key question is how pilot projects can be scaled up in a sustainable way and how local specificities and needs can be reflected in global thinking.
More Information:
Presentation from WHO
Presentation from MSIF
Presentation from EFPIA