Speeding up access to medicine for developing countries

Translation of the article

Dutch NPO Access to Medicine Foundation released the 2016 edition of their ranking of drug makers based on their contribution in improving access of medicine in developing countries. Four Japanese companies made the top-20 ranking.

According to Jayasree K. Iyer, Executive Director of the Access to Medicine Foundation, Eisai was recognised for their wide range of activities toward the treatment of a tropical disease (lymphatic filariasis) through its donation programme. They also recognized the efforts of Takeda Pharma, which launched a new access strategy and Daiichi Sankyo, which expanded their list of products. Although Astellas fell in position within the ranking, improvement could be seen in its supply chain network. Relative to European and US companies which have been developing their global business and are considerably mature in developing countries, it is not easy (for Japanese companies) to catch up.