The Access to Medicine Foundation joins the 79th World Health Assembly

The Access to Medicine Foundation will take part in the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland. Throughout the week, the Foundation’s team will engage with stakeholders from across the global health ecosystem, participate in a series of events and bilateral meetings, and contribute to discussions on pressing healthcare challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). 

Convening stakeholders remains central to the Foundation’s approach: enabling collaboration to co-create solutions, strengthen partnerships and unlock the role of institutional investors in advancing health equity. At this year’s Assembly, the Foundation will share insights from its latest research and ongoing programme work, with the team including: 

• Jayasree K. Iyer, Chief Executive Officer 

• Claudia Martínez, Director of Research 

• Margo Warren, Director of Government Engagement & Policy 

• Judith Sprunken, Government Engagement and Policy Manager 

• Tiphaine Aeby, Government Engagement & Policy Officer  

• Marcello Britto, Company Engagement Officer 

Representatives from the Foundation will also speak at side events held on the margins of the Assembly, including a keynote address by CEO Jayasree K. Iyer at the event “Access to oxygen: Catalysing country impact through partnerships.” 

Programme highlights 

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) programme 

In March, the Foundation launched the 2026 Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark, assessing how 25 major pharmaceutical companies are addressing one of the world’s most pressing health threats and ensuring access to their products in LMICs. The Benchmark identifies where companies are making progress and where further action is needed to expand access, promote responsible manufacturing and stewardship and support innovation.  

Access to Medicine Index 

Work is underway on the 2026 Access to Medicine Index – the tenth edition of the Foundation’s flagship report. Building on 2024 Index, this next iteration will continue to assess how leading pharmaceutical companies are expanding access to medicines, vaccines and diagnostics in LMICs, with a particular focus on actions companies can take to deliver sustainable impact at scale. The newly-updated methodology for the 2026 report includes enhancements to zero in on areas where company action can have the greatest impact on the ground, reflecting evolving priorities in a shifting healthcare landscape.  

Diabetes Care Programme 

The Foundation’s Diabetes Care Programme continues to examine how pharmaceutical companies are addressing access barriers to insulin and other essential diabetes products in underserved regions. Our most recent report, Tackling the diabetes care crisis in the Pacific: Insulin and medicine access, explores how lifesaving treatments are currently brought to the Western Pacific, which currently has the globe’s highest diabetes rates. Some of these small island nations face nearly double the global burden of diabetes, yet access to lifesaving treatments is often out of reach.  

Medical Oxygen Programme 

Medical Oxygen remains a vital means of treatment for a range of health conditions, but supply in LMICs can be limited or lacking. Through our Medical Oxygen Programme and Community of Practice, the Foundation is working with oxygen companies, the Global Oxygen Alliance, governments and global health partners to strengthen collaboration, share best practices and identify concrete actions to improve sustainable access to medical oxygen in LMICs.  

Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Programme 

Generic and biosimilar medicines, produced at high volumes and sold for lower prices than brand-name counterparts, have the potential to revolutionise the healthcare industry. The Foundation is expanding its work in this arena, with a growing focus on strengthening supply security in Africa, where production gaps are significant. An upcoming research report – slated for release in September 2026 – will highlight how generic and biosimilar medicine manufacturers are approaching supply and availability in African countries, focusing on effective collaborations that can be replicated and further developed to drive progress.  

Engagements at WHA 

The Foundation’s team will be actively participating in a range of events and discussions throughout the 79th WHA. These engagements will provide valuable opportunities to share insights from our latest research, contribute to global dialogue on health equity and connect with partners across the global health ecosystem. We welcome the opportunity to meet with stakeholders during the assembly – if you would like to connect with members of the Foundation’s team, the events listed below offer an excellent opportunity to exchange perspectives. 

Speaking engagements 

Members of the Foundation’s team will speak at the following sessions: 

• Access to oxygen: Catalysing country impact through partnerships – At this high-level event convened by the Global Oxygen Alliance (GO₂AL), CEO Jayasree K. Iyer will deliver a keynote address on how partnerships with industry can help strengthen national oxygen systems and improve sustainable access to medical oxygen. 

• Devex event on Indo-Pacific Regulatory Strengthening Program Forum and Partners’ Meeting: Margo Warren will feature as a speaker on the “Quality Assured Medicines” panel, share perspectives on access and availability in small island states, drawing insights from the 2024 Access to Medicine Index and our 2025 report Tackling the diabetes care crisis in the Pacific: Insulin and medicine access. 

• World Economic Forum roundtable: Foundation representatives will join a strategic discussion with leaders from industry, government and global health organisations on practical approaches to expanding access to essential health products.  

Events we are attending 

The Foundation will also attend several side events during WHA, including:  

• Financing NCDs for impact: Evidence and experience from countries 

• Building the economic case for domestic investment in health R&D in Africa 

• Always innovating: How the next generation of medicines and vaccines can deliver a healthier, stronger future 

• World Health Summit side event – From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health 

About WHA 

The WHA, as the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), gathers delegates from all WHO Member States to establish the organisation’s policies, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. It also provides a platform for discussing global health challenges and shaping international health agendas.