Addressing the global shortage of, and access to, medicines and vaccines (Report)

"Addressing the global shortage of, and access to, medicines and vaccines" was presented at the Seventy-first World Health Assembly. The report, authored by the Director-General, emphasizes the critical importance of ensuring access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable medicines and vaccines for all, aligning with the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. The report underscores the challenges posed by rising prices of new medicines, persistent shortages, and the emergence of substandard and falsified medical products. It also highlights the threats of antimicrobial resistance and opioid misuse, emphasizing the need for appropriate medicine use.

WHO plays a pivotal role in ensuring global access to medicines and vaccines through strategic work, normative guidelines, and technical support. The organization adopts a comprehensive health-systems approach, addressing various stages of the pharmaceutical value chain. This includes research, development, intellectual property policies, manufacturing, pricing, procurement, and appropriate use. The report also emphasizes the importance of strong governance, transparency, and collaboration with stakeholders.

The report suggests that increasing access to medicines and vaccines is multifaceted. While many activities contribute to improving access, prioritization is essential. The Secretariat has identified actions that could be prioritized for implementation, ensuring the most significant potential impact. These actions include developing political will at national and regional levels, supporting increased collaboration on various topics, and consolidating WHO's contribution to product development. The report also touches upon the challenges and potential solutions, emphasizing the need for political will, strong governance, and a comprehensive approach to address all stages of the pharmaceutical value chain.