About Access to medicine foundation
Access to Medicine Foundation: Empowering Pharmaceutical Companies to Serve the Underserved
The Access to Medicine Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to improve access to medicine for people living in low- and middle-income countries. The foundation was established in 2004 with the goal of stimulating and guiding pharmaceutical companies towards doing more for those who lack access to essential medicines.
The foundation recognizes that access to medicine is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people around the world are unable to obtain the medicines they need due to various barriers such as poverty, inadequate healthcare systems, and limited availability of essential drugs. This is particularly true in low- and middle-income countries where resources are scarce, and healthcare infrastructure is often underdeveloped.
To address this issue, the Access to Medicine Foundation works with pharmaceutical companies by providing them with research-based insights on how they can better serve underserved populations. The foundation conducts independent research on pharmaceutical companies' policies, practices, and products related to access-to-medicine issues. It then uses this information as a basis for ranking these companies based on their efforts towards improving global health outcomes.
One of the key initiatives undertaken by the Access to Medicine Foundation is its biennial Access-to-Medicine Index (ATMI). This index ranks 20 leading pharmaceutical companies based on their efforts towards improving access-to-medicine issues in low- and middle-income countries. The ATMI assesses each company's performance across seven areas: governance & compliance; R&D; pricing & registration; manufacturing & supply chain; product donations & philanthropy; capacity building; and patient safety & equitable pricing.
Through its work with pharmaceutical companies, the Access-to-Medicine Foundation has been able not only improve global health outcomes but also promote sustainable business practices within these organizations. By encouraging these firms' engagement in socially responsible activities such as increasing drug affordability or donating products or services where needed most - it helps build trust between stakeholders while also creating long-term value for all involved.
The foundation's work has been recognized globally, with many stakeholders acknowledging its role in promoting access to medicine. The Access-to-Medicine Foundation has received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2014.
In conclusion, the Access to Medicine Foundation is a vital organization that plays a critical role in improving access to essential medicines for people living in low- and middle-income countries. Its work with pharmaceutical companies is commendable as it encourages these firms to adopt socially responsible practices while also promoting sustainable business models. By doing so, it helps create long-term value for all stakeholders involved while also improving global health outcomes.