 16-May-19, Access To Medicine Foundation 

In a new report published, the Access to Medicine Foundation shows where pharmaceutical companies have made progress in the past ten years when it comes to access to medicine. It analyses companies' performances in 106 low- and middle-income countries – home to 83% of all people alive today.

Image: Access To Medicine Foundation

The 10-year analysis finds clear evidence of progress, most notably in R&D, and in how companies approach access. A few companies are carrying the greater part of the load. Overall, companies' activity concentrates on a few diseases and countries.

The report finds that several pharmaceutical companies are now doing business in new, inclusive ways that aim to reach people on very low incomes. Seven companies are running a total of ten inclusive business models, eight of which are being expanded. Plus, 17 companies now set measurable targets related to access to medicine, up from eight in 2010. Yet, only some companies are tackling the risks of unethical sales behaviour by changing sales bonuses. Fewer companies have consistently supported international trade agreements designed to ensure the poorest people can benefit from medical innovation.

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