2024 Annual Report demonstrates Foundation’s expansive changemaking

2024 was an ambitious year at the Access to Medicine Foundation, marked by the launch of the ninth edition of our longstanding changemaking tool, the Access to Medicine Index, and the publication of two additional critical reports from our Index and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) programmes.

Throughout the year, we mobilised our findings at high-level events such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the World Health Summit (WHA), and also hosted our own workshops and roundtables that focused on priority global health areas, such as diabetes and AMR. Through these avenues, we ensured our diverse stakeholders were empowered to utilise our recommendations to address gaps in access to medicine.

Our Annual Report, now available for download, contains a detailed review of the work we’ve done across our programmes, details on our stakeholder engagement, 2024 financial statements and operational changes over the course of the year.

New focus on patient reach within Index programme will remain central 

The Foundation’s Index Programme delivered two major reports last year. The 2024 Access to Medicine Index was released in November, featuring an enhanced focus on patient reach to zoom in on the impact pharmaceutical companies’ access efforts are having on people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Preceding its launch, the Foundation also released a standalone report to spotlight this sharpened focus, specifically the new patient metric included in our assessment of companies’ governance of access. Both reports received wide media coverage and sparked strong engagement from companies, especially regarding patient reach, which will remain vital in our assessment of companies as we continue to guide industry action. 

The Foundation disseminated findings from the Index programme through attendance at major events, including UNGA, where we co-hosted high-level meetings with AXA Investment Managers and MedAccess, fostering discussions on how integrating access frameworks into business strategies can drive healthcare equity on a global scale. Additionally, to launch the 2024 Index, we co-hosted events with Goldman Sachs in London and AllianceBernstein in New York, engaging more than 100 investors on the 2024 Index’s rankings and key findings. 

Setting ambitious goals for companies to curb AMR through our research 

2024 signalled an inflection point in the collective and immediate response that is needed to curb the critical global health threat posed by drug resistance. To highlight the urgency of the issue and the importance of antimicrobial innovation, the AMR Programme released a research and development (R&D) report in May analysing five late-stage projects that target some of the most severe drug-resistant pathogens. 

Following the R&D report, the Foundation began work on the development of the new AMR Benchmark methodology, published in January 2025. This framework will serve as the bedrock for the 2026 AMR Benchmark, which will assess 26 companies in the antimicrobial space on their actions to help curb drug resistance.  

As a trusted authority on AMR, the Foundation also provided inputs to shape global policy on drug resistance throughout the year. In the lead-up to the UNGA High-Level Meeting in September 2024, which spotlighted AMR, the Foundation created a policy briefing on how to engage with the pharmaceutical industry in the effort to combat drug resistance, which we presented to UN member delegates in attendance at the High-Level Meeting. Additionally, the Foundation participated in the World Health Organization (WHO)’s expert group for its first-ever guidance on waste and wastewater management, published in September. 

Driving momentum across our Diabetes Care, Generic and Biosimilar medicines and Medical Oxygen programmes 

Through our targeted programmes on diabetes care, generic and biosimilar medicines, and medical oxygen, the Foundation drove progress by engaging key stakeholders, shaping industry strategies, and fostering collaboration to expand access to essential medicines, diagnostics and supplies throughout 2024. 

In April, the Foundation hosted its third session on securing global diabetes care access by 2030, convening experts to share challenges and successes in expanding access to their products in LMICs and published a meeting report capturing highlights the discussion. Later in 2024, the Diabetes Programme began developing a thematic report on access inequities for insulin-dependent children and young people in LMICs, set for publication in 2025. 

The Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Programme advanced its work on leveraging manufacturers' unique potential to address gaps in global health equity. In 2024, the Foundation deepened engagement with the industry and expanded collaborations, including co-hosting a roundtable with the World Economic Forum at WHA, with key takeaways published in a meeting report. 

The Foundation also remains deeply engaged in the medical oxygen space, working with leading manufacturers to improve sustainable supply and access to this critical resource. As an active member of the Global Oxygen Alliance (GO²AL), we help shape its strategy through the ‘Innovations and Market Shaping’ Working Group. Additionally, the Foundation’s CEO, Jayasree K. Iyer, continues to advise the Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security, including leading a commentary on industry, published in February 2025. 

Positioning for success in 2025 

2024 was a year of development within the Foundation. In addition to completing the replenishment of our Supervisory Board, we expanded our Management Team and grew our staff to 45 members representing 20 nationalities. 

The Foundation took a prudent approach in 2024 as we awaited new grants. We succeeded in securing the necessary funds required to continue our impactful work, maintaining our long-term funders and securing new grants, giving us the security to surge toward the completion of the goals outlined in our 2022 – 2026 Strategic Direction.