Novartis Dethrones GSK to Top Access to Medicine Index 2024

An article from NAVLIN DAILY discusses the findings of the 2024 Access to Medicine Index, published by the Access to Medicine Foundation, which ranks pharmaceutical companies based on their efforts to enhance access to essential medicines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). For the first time, Novartis took the top spot, followed by GSK, which has typically ranked first.

The article provides an overview of the rankings of 20 pharma companies analysed in the 2024 Index, noting that while some companies have made progress, overall change remains slow, and significant disparities in access to healthcare, particularly in LMICs, persist.

The article also notes some key insights from the Index: R&D efforts are predominantly focused on high-income markets, leaving low-income countries (LICs) underserved. This imbalance is further reflected in the slow progress of voluntary licensing and technology transfer, which has seen limited expansion in recent years. Additionally, product registration is heavily concentrated in upper-middle-income countries, with many products lacking clear access strategies for LICs, underscoring ongoing gaps in equitable access to medicines.

The article echoes the 2024 Index by calling for greater transparency from pharma companies regarding the impact of their initiatives, alongside a stronger focus on inclusive business models and more effective partnerships with governments and local organisations to overcome systemic barriers.