Novartis and GSK retain top positions in the 2026 Access to Medicine Index

Moy explains that both companies perform strongly across the Index’s three assessment areas, covering how companies manage access, develop products and support their delivery to patients. She highlights their governance structures, publicly available methods for measuring patient reach and evidence of access planning. Burton illustrates their research activity through Novartis’s malaria work and GSK’s pipeline targeting priority diseases.  

Understanding the impact of companies’ efforts is another central theme.  While companies report increases in patient reach, Moy explains that headline figures often lack product-level detail, making it difficult to assess the impact of inclusive business models on underserved patients. Sanofi stands out for its more detailed reporting in this regard.  

Moy also raises concerns about declining research into neglected tropical disease, particularly as climate change and antimicrobial resistance increase future health risks. She calls for sustained company action to protect progress in access.