RT Journal Article
T1 The still incomplete pursuit of universal access to medicines.
A1 Fernández, Paloma
A1 Del Llano, Alicia
A1 Vidal, Jaume
A1 Espin, Jaime
A1 Del Llano, Juan E
K1 access to medicines
K1 globalisation
K1 inequality and health
K1 intellectual property
K1 pharmaceutical industry
K1 stakeholder effects
AB A substantial share of the global population continues to face barriers to accessing essential medicines. While the pharmaceutical industry's business model has successfully facilitated the development of innovative medications, efforts to promote universal access to medicines (UAM) remain ineffective. This paper critically assesses the existing barriers to global access to medicines, including the role of unsuitable governance, the protection of intellectual property rights, and other market barriers such as shortages, quality shortcomings, and high prices. Furthermore, we explore a number of promising potential strategies that can help towards achieving the UAM. Specifically, we evaluate the evidence from various initiatives, including alternative models of innovation, manufacturing, procurement, intellectual property management, and structural/organisational operations. We argue that the effective realisation of UAM requires a robust framework to implement these initiatives. This framework must strike a delicate balance between addressing public health needs, incentivising research and development, and ensuring affordability. Achieving such a balance encompasses a careful oversight and collaboration between national and international regulatory bodies.
PB Cambridge University Press
YR 2025
FD 2025-05-22
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10668/28523
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10668/28523
LA en
NO Fernández P, Del Llano A, Vidal J, Espín J, Del Llano JE. The still incomplete pursuit of universal access to medicines. Health Econ Policy Law. 2025 May 22:1-13
DS RISalud
RD Sep 13, 2025