Jayasree K. Iyer to speak at G20 Innovation for Health: Access to NCD medicines & health technologies

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain the leading cause of death globally. The burden falls disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries, exacerbating existing health inequities and straining under-resourced health systems.  

Recognising the urgency and strategic importance of this challenge, and in support of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 4^th High-Level Meeting on NCDs (HLM4), the G20 countries are convening a focused dialogue to build consensus on key priorities and develop actionable recommendations. Titled “Advancing Equitable Access to NCD Medicines and Health Technologies: A Strategic Dialogue for G20 Countries toward the HLM4 on NCDs,” the event aims to support stronger G20 commitments and HLM4 outcomes by addressing critical barriers to equitable access to NCD care, particularly in LMICs. 

As CEO of the Access to Medicine Foundation, Jayasree K. Iyer has been invited to participate in the panel discussion on current barriers to affordable NCD treatment and care. She will present the Foundation’s briefing for HLM4 on NCDs at UNGA, outlining key areas to prioritise when engaging the pharmaceutical industry to facilitate better access to life-saving NCD products. 

During the discussion, she will also present findings from the 2024 Access to Medicine Index related to NCD pipeline developments, access strategies, and opportunities to diversify clinical trials and production. During this session, Jayasree will speak alongside: 

• Jeanette Hunter, Deputy Director General of Primary Health Care, South Africa Ministry of Health 

• Katie Dain, CEO, NCD Alliance 

• Susana Almeida, Secretary General, International Generic and Biosimilar medicines Association (IGBA) 

• Prashant Yadav, Senior Fellow for Global Health, Council on Foreign Relations 

• Deus Mubangizi, Director, WHO Access to Medicines and Health Product Division (WHO MHP) 

• Austen Peters, Senior Advisor for Global Health, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)