Jayasree K. Iyer to talk about access to quality medicines at 71st World Health Assembly side event

Jayasree K. Iyer, Executive Director of the Access to Medicine Foundation, will participate in the “Medicines We Can Trust: A Call to Safeguard Quality,” a 71st World Health Assembly side event, on Wednesday, 23 May, 2018, in Geneva. She will discuss the role of the pharmaceutical industry in improving access to quality medicines drawing on findings from the Foundation’s Access to Medicine Index.

Together, the speakers will discuss the widespread consequences of substandard and falsified medicines for people and communities everywhere . They will also explore connections between poor-quality medicines and antimicrobial resistance, global health security, non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, universal health coverage and access to medicines. A preview of a new campaign on the right to safe, quality medicines, including the opportunity for community input, will be presented at the event. Solutions and countries leading the way, and the role everyone can play in the road ahead will also be explored by the speakers.

Speakers include:
• Fiona Adshead, Deputy CEO and Director of Strategy and Partnerships, NCD Alliance
• Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, England & Chief Medical Advisor, UK
• Michael Deats, Group Lead, Substandard and Falsified Medical Products, WHO
• Tom Frieden, President & CEO, Resolve to Save Lives
• Githinji Gitahi, CEO, Amref Health Africa
• Jayasree Iyer, Executive Director, Access to Medicine Foundation
• Ashish Jha, Director, Harvard Global Health Institute
• Sicily Kariuki, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health, Kenya
• Ron Piervincenzi, CEO, USP
• Julio Sánchez y Tépoz, Federal Commissioner, COFEPRIS Mexico
• Brenda Waning, Chief of the Global Drug Facility, Stop TB Partnership

Logistical information
Date: 23 May
Time: 8:00 – 10:00 am
Venue: Vieux Bois Restaurant
              Avenue de la Paix 12
              Geneva, 1202 Switzerland