2021 Annual Report explores progress amid a year of global health disruption

2021 marked a pivotal year for the Access to Medicine Foundation, as the global health community continued to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic while confronting long-standing access challenges. Through its research and stakeholder engagement, the Foundation worked to translate insights into action – providing guidance for pharmaceutical companies, governments, investors and global health organisations to address urgent gaps in access to essential health products. 

The 2021 Access to Medicine Index launched amid still-present COVID-19 concerns 

The publication of the 2021 Access to Medicine Index, released one year into the pandemic, provided a timely assessment of how pharmaceutical companies were responding to emerging infectious diseases. Its findings – including critical gaps in R&D for diseases with pandemic potential – resonated widely and informed a series of workshops, investor dialogues and government briefings, with CEO Jayasree K. Iyer also joining a high-level panel organised by FIND to spur action on universal health coverage via the diagnostics industry. These engagements helped translate the Index's insights into concrete actions, including improvements in access planning, greater transparency and more structured investor engagement.  

Strengthening accountability on antimicrobial resistance 

Later in the year, the Foundation published the third Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Benchmark, assessing how 17 leading pharmaceutical companies are addressing drug resistance and providing access to vital antimicrobials in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Alongside the Benchmark, we co-developed the first-ever Stewardship and Access Plan Development Guide, setting out practical steps to support the responsible development of and equitable access to new antimicrobials. In addition to government briefings, these efforts contributed to great alignment among investors, policymakers and industry on the actions needed to curb AMR and improve access. 

Addressing critical gaps through targeted research programmes 

Throughout 2021, the Foundation also carried out targeted research to address critical gaps across the global health landscape. This included analyses of paediatric R&D and the role of biotech companies and small- and medium-sized enterprises in the antimicrobial pipeline, as well as an Amsterdam Session event on the pharmaceutical industry's response to COVID-19. These insights highlighted structural challenges – from funding constraints facing biotech innovators to persistent gaps in treatments for children – while identifying practical pathways to strengthen R&D and access. 

Mobilising action on the global medical oxygen crisis 

Responding to the acute medical oxygen crisis exposed – and further compounded – by COVID-19, the Foundation played an active role in global efforts to improve supply and access in LMICs. As part of the ACT-A Oxygen Emergency Taskforce and through its convening work with partners, the Foundation helped drive coordinated action to address both immediate shortages and longer-term, system-level challenges. Our third Access to Medical Oxygen Roundtable and special briefing for G20 countries alongside the Every Breath Counts initiative put medical oxygen on the agenda of governments, investors and industry players, building a concrete framework for action. 

Building the foundation for the next Strategic Direction 

Internally, 2021 marked a period of growth and transition. With the launch of a new Strategic Direction for 2022-2026, the Foundation is well-poised to enter the next phase of its work with a strengthened organisational structure, growing team of 30 staff representing 12 nationalities, and a continued focus on catalysing progress towards global health equity.