Research
Methodology for the 2026 Access to Medicine Index
09 October 2025
Achieving equitable access to infectious diseases diagnostics: Learnings and pathways forward – Meeting Report
On 18 May 2026, the Access to Medicine Foundation hosted a high-level expert session (Amsterdam Session) on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly to explore solutions for expanding access to essential diagnostic tools for infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A summary of the discussion has been captured in a meeting report, which is now available for download.
Held under the Chatham House Rule, the session took the form of a moderated roundtable discussion, bringing together senior representatives from diagnostic manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, implementing partners and international organisations. Participants examined access to diagnostics across the entire value chain in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), from research and development (R&D) through to deployment and integration into healthcare settings.
Focus of the discussion
The session took the form of a moderated roundtable discussion organised around two thematic rounds:
How can access to diagnostic tools be scaled? Learning from industry experience: Explored how manufacturers can improve access through research and development (R&D), partnerships, integrated business models and tools tailored to low-resource settings.
What enablers are needed for increasing access at scale and enabling global health security?: Focused on how local manufacturing, improved procurement models and stronger coordination among governments, donors, non-governmental organisations and manufacturers can accelerate access to diagnostics in LMICs.
Recurring themes
Four recurring themes emerged from the discussion:
Access considerations need to be embedded early in research and development (R&D), supported by compelling evidence on clinical utility, usability and value.
Vertically funded programmes have expanded access in areas such as HIV and tuberculosis (TB), but gaps remain in traditionally overlooked areas, including antimicrobial resistance.
Local capacity building, coordinated procurement and greater market security are needed to support sustainable manufacturer engagement in LMIC markets.
Addressing persistent diagnostic gaps requires coordinated, multi-stakeholder action and long-term, sustainable financing.
You can read the full PDF of the meeting report for more details and key takeaways from the event.
The Foundation’s work on access to diagnostics
Insights from the discussion will inform the Foundation's ongoing work on access to diagnostics and antimicrobial resistance. In 2027, the Foundation will publish a thematic report analysing how a selected set of diagnostic manufacturers are working to expand access to diagnostic tools in LMICs. It will also identify opportunities and next steps for other sector stakeholders.
