Foundation names Expert Review Committee for 2022 Access to Medicine Index
The research team reviews the Index methodology every two years. This keeps the Index focused on where pharma companies have the biggest potential and responsibility to make change. The previous methodology review resulted in a tightening of the analytical framework and sharper analytical framework, zeroing in on the core role for pharmaceutical companies in access to medicine. For the next Index, the research team is prioritising the capacity to track changes since the previous Index, and to identify best practices that are proven to be successful, scalable and accepted by governments and other stakeholders.
The ERC will meet virtually for the first time on 23 June 2021, when it discusses the methodology proposals currently being prepared by the Index research team. The methodology for the next Access to Medicine Index will be ratified by the ERC before being published by the Foundation in Autumn 2021.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light disparities in access to vaccines, diagnostics and treatments for people living in low-and middle-income countries. Now more than ever, it is vital to keep tracking progress and sharing knowledge to ensure that accessibility and affordability remain top-of-mind." - Jayasree K. Iyer, Executive Director of the Access to Medicine Foundation
Profiles of the 2022 Expert Review Committee can be found here.
The 2022 Expert Review Committee
The ERC is Chaired by Hans Hogerzeil, former WHO Director for Essential Medicines Policies. The members of the ERC are drawn from governments, NGOs, patient groups, WHO, industry associations, academia and investors.
Chair of the Committee, Hans Hogerzeil, Emeritus Professor of Global Health at the University of Groningen and former WHO Director for Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies
Emily Bleimund, Director of Trade and Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Global Affairs
Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO, Amref Health Africa
Michela Gregory, Director, ESG Services at NEI Investments
Fumie Griego, Deputy Director General and Chief Operating Officer at IFPMA
Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt, Director of Pharmaceutical Services at Ministry of Health, Ghana
Dennis Ross-Degnan, Associate Professor at the Department of Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Director of Research at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute; Co-Director at WHO Collaborating Center in Pharmaceutical Policy
Alan Staple, Vice President and Head of the Global Market Access Team, The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)
Fatima Suleman, Professor, University of KwaZulu-Natal and Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Pharmaceutical Policy and Evidence Based Practice
Klara Tisocki, Team Lead, Pricing and Affordability at WHO
Prashant Yadav, Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development; Affiliate Professor of Technology and Operations at INSEAD
2022 Index Methodology Review – where are we now?
In preparation for the June meeting, the research team has been reviewing the 33 indicators used in the previous Access to Medicine Index. This assesses the indicators robustness and effectiveness at comparing how companies are performing.
The team is holding consultations with a broad range of experts and stakeholders, including from governments, the global health and investor communities, and from pharmaceutical companies. These discussions are based around targeted questions relating to the methodology and analysis, and reveal consensus on the role for pharmaceutical companies in access to medicine.
"The 2021 methodology will provide companies with a newly refined framework for improving access to medicine for all, in line with efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals." - Jayasree K. Iyer, Executive Director of the Access to Medicine Foundation
The Methodology will be published in September 2021, when the research team will begin the work of gathering data for the next Access to Medicine Index. The 2022 Access to Medicine Index will be published toward the end of next year.
About the Access to Medicine Index
The Access to Medicine Index ranks 20 of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies every two years on their actions to improve access to medicine for people living in low- and middle-income countries. In 2021, the Index covered 106 low- and middle-income countries, home to 83% of all people alive today. The companies in the 2021 Index account for approximately 70% of global pharmaceutical revenue. The Access to Medicine Index is funded by the UK and Dutch governments, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, AXA Investment Managers, and Wellcome Trust.