Pharma’s Patient Reach Problem: Billions Still Left Behind

The article provides an overview of the Access to Medicine Foundation’s latest report, which evaluates how major pharmaceutical companies are expanding patient access.

It emphasises the report's call for improved standardisation in tracking patient reach, pointing out that the current inconsistency affects the ability to respond effectively to healthcare needs. Claudia Martínez, Head of Research at the Foundation, is quoted advocating for a more integrated approach: “To achieve meaningful impact, pharmaceutical companies must prioritise patient reach as a core aspect of their operations rather than treating it as an afterthought.” 
 
The article also touches on the specific challenges mentioned in the report, particularly in addressing noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, where even leading insulin manufacturers are not effectively meeting the needs of LMICs. It calls for stronger, actionable commitments from pharmaceutical companies and highlights the importance of incorporating equitable access into their core business models. Patient reach will be a key metric in the upcoming Access to Medicine Index 2024, which ranks global biopharma’s biggest players across a range of patient access indicators in LMICs.