Our strategy 2022-2026

More than 80% of the world's population lives in low- and middle-income countries, yet many essential medicines remain out of reach in these regions. For the last two decades, the Access to Medicine Foundation has steered pharmaceutical companies to act on these gaps, culminating in real change for people living in underserved regions of the world.  

With the launch of our five-year strategic direction in 2022, we expanded the scope of our research across five sectors to further maximise our impact. Since then, we have mobilised influential players among generic medicine manufacturers, vaccine manufacturers, diagnostics companies and medical gas companies, all while continuing to accelerate progress among large, research-based pharmaceutical companies.

The importance of these sectors, and how the Foundation has interacted and will interact with each of them, is outlined below. 

Large R&D-based pharma companies 

Twenty of the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical companies are covered by the Access to Medicine Index. Progress has been seen since the Index was first launched in 2008, but there are key areas for improvement – such as access planning and investment in R&D. 

Generic medicine manufacturers 

These companies possess the adaptive R&D capability and large-scale manufacturing capacity to supply billions of much-needed medicines to poorer countries. Several of the world’s largest generic medicine manufacturers have already been tracked by the Foundation’s antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research programme and Benchmark, but they will now be examined and analysed on their performance in more therapeutic areas. 

Medical gas companies 

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a chronic crisis in medical oxygen supply with lethal results for many patients, such as children with pneumonia. This should have been tackled long ago and now needs to be tackled as a matter of urgency. The Foundation convened key stakeholders in 2021 to address immediate problems, and will now work longer-term to help medical gas companies address the wider issues. 

Diagnostics companies 

Diagnostics and monitoring devices are an essential element of the health system and a critical part of the continuum of care for patients. However, there is a lack of joined-up strategy for realising the potential of diagnostic testing in lower-income countries. This is a new area of focus for the Foundation. 

Vaccine manufacturers

Vaccine manufacturers have a critical role to play in ensuring that immunisation reaches people living in low- and middle-income countries. A tailored and specific approach is required to the vaccine manufacturing sector in order to create positive action. 

Full details of the Foundation's Strategic Direction 2022-2026 are available online, including a guide on how our tried-and-tested ‘model for change’ works to motivate pivotal players to prioritse healthcare access equity. 

Download the PDF to find out more, and to read what the experts say about the Access to Medicine Foundation and our work – with endorsements from leading figures such as Bill Gates, Mary Robinson, Dr Githinji Gitahi, Sir Andrew Witty, Dame Sally Davies and Leith Greenslade.