EFPIA Statement on the UN HLP Report on Access to Medicines
14.09.16
EFPIA concurs with the report's positive assessment of the pace of rapid scientific progress and its subsequent observation that many patients around the world still do not have access to these innovative and life-saving medicines, but the report fails to address key issues such as healthcare infrastructure and capacity. With this in mind, we would welcome on-going, constructive dialogue about these challenges that recognizes the complexities of the global innovation system.
Research and development by EFPIA member companies has already played a key role in advancing global health from HIV to cancer, Hepatitis C to cardio-vascular disease, antibiotics and vaccines. Innovation in medicines is a key part of the solution in addressing global health challenges yet a number of the explicit or implicit proposals contained within this report would not only jeopardise privately-funded R&D – which corresponds to over 60% of all medical R&D – but also publicly-funded, translational research, the aim of which is to deliver concrete and progressive technologies and products to patients.
EFPIA Director General Richard Bergström said: “For EFPIA and its member companies, access remains a priority, and with this in mind, we reiterate our commitment to partnering and finding solutions that aim to bring better healthcare – and universal health coverage – to all people around the world. EFPIA continues to support the existing structures within the UN that share and advance the same goal of achieving healthy lives for all, in the context of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We regret that the limited focus of the HLP report fails to move us forward on these key issues.”