Incentivising pharmaceutical companies to improve equitable access to healthcare interventions

Equitable access is critical for maximising the impact of innovation and heavily depends on proactive actions by pharmaceutical companies, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to bring the pandemic to an end, achieve universal health coverage and protect the gains made on Sustainable Development Goal 3, the pharmaceutical industry will need to ensure that all scientific advancements benefit the maximum number of people, independent of the place they live or their ability to pay. The Access to Medicine Foundation (ATMF) has incentivised pharmaceutical company action to improve access to new innovations for more than a decade. By rewarding positive action, sharing best practices, and highlighting opportunities for change, the ATMF encourages companies to become willing partners to improve global access to their products. The ATMF will support Wellcome Trust's approach to equitable access to healthcare interventions through a combination of research and policy initiatives that will (a) incentivise pharmaceutical company action on COVID-19, (b) support global efforts to mainstream access principles during product development and (c) untap the potential of generic medicine manufacturers in expanding access to innovations in low- and middle-income countries. The request from the ATMF is for €471,750 (£425,000) from October 2020 to September 2021.