Sharp inequalities in access to advanced therapies have denied the benefits from progress in medical science to almost a third of the world’s population. Hefty price tags on life-saving drugs have created unbearable financial burden for patients in most of the world. Inadequate research spending has led to a fragile medical innovation ecosystem with serious repercussions on global preparedness for health emergencies.
COVID-19 served as a wake-up call for the global pharmaceutical sector, forcing the community to rapidly innovate and rethink new ways of improving access to essential, lifesaving medicines.