Millions of poor people have no access to lifesaving medicines

The article identifies key areas where pharma companies need to improve to address access gaps in LMICs, as outlined in the report. One significant issue is the inconsistent impact of inclusive business models (IBMs), which are designed to serve historically neglected populations in LMICs. However, the article refers to the 2024 Index, which points out that these models often fail to provide transparent reporting on the number of patients they effectively reach.

The article also draws attention to important findings from the report's Research and Development (R&D) section, including the striking fact that only 43% of clinical trials take place in LMICs, which host the majority of the world's population.

Lastly, the article addresses voluntary licensing agreements and technology transfers, noting a significant slowdown highlighted in the 2024 Index, which identified only two agreements during the analysis period. Furthermore, technology transfer efforts remain concentrated in upper middle-income markets, while sub-Saharan Africa continues to face severe local supply shortages and limited focus.

The article concludes with a quote from Jayasree Iyer, CEO of the Access to Medicine Foundation: “The increased emphasis on assessing outcomes has highlighted uneven industry progress. Leading companies are making strides, but there is still considerable work to be done.”