Research Archives

2022 Access to Medicine Index

Findings

• Key finding 1: R&D priorities - Some companies engaging in R&D for emerging infectious diseases, but pipeline mainly empty

• Key finding 2: Licencing - First voluntary licence for a cancer treatment is a promising sign for future expansion of access to innovative medicines

• Key finding 3: Access planning & strategies - More access plans and strategies to expand access to more products, but with limited breadth and depth

• Industry trends - 2022 Index finds companies approach access to medicine more systematically, yet show stagnation in some key areas

• Special report on progress analysis finding - Companies make progress in access planning, but little change in makeup of R&D pipelines

• Special report on progress analysis finding - Progress seen at board level as companies increasingly integrate strategies to address access to medicine

• Special report on progress analysis finding - Industry makes progress on access strategies and voluntary licensing for products, but overall picture mixed

• Special report on SRHR finding - How companies perform on ensuring access to their SRHR-related products for women and girls in LMICs

• Special report on SRHR finding - For some SRHR-related diseases, R&D priorities are not being addressed

Best practices

• Adapting business models to tackle access barriers and increase product reach

• Accompanying licensing agreements with technology transfers to manufacturers

• Making access plans for all late-stage R&D projects

• Implementing a systematic access planning policy for R&D projects

• Addressing heat stability of insulin products to allow for easier storage

• Expanding access to diabetes care for children and young people in LMICs

• Support for genomic database initiative could lead to better treatments across Africa

• Approvals for new products to treat neglected tropical diseases and infectious diseases

• Supporting researchers in LMICs to build capacity for R&D and clinical trials

• Publishing comprehensive and transparent patent information

• Promoting and rewarding the effective delivery of access initiatives at top levels

• Scaling up inclusive business models to expand access to medicines for non-communicable diseases

• Implementing strong access strategies across different country income classifications

• Using partnerships to measure impact and outcomes of access programmes

• Sharing IP assets to facilitate R&D targeting neglected tropical diseases

• Creating an online cervical cancer programme to avoid disruptions to care during COVID-19

• Setting a precedent with non-exclusive voluntary licence for a cancer compound

• Tailoring pricing strategies according to the ability of countries and individuals to pay

• A holistic approach to expanding access to contraceptive products