Pharma Innovation Shifts Raise Access Concerns for Developing Nations
GENEVA – A looming crisis in pharmaceutical research and development threatens to widen the gap in access to life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), according to experts. A recent report from the World Health Institution (WHO) highlights a critical scarcity of new antibiotics and antibacterials, coupled with a broader lack of innovation in addressing infectious diseases disproportionately impacting the Global South.
The changing landscape of pharma R&D – with a growing focus on more profitable markets – demands urgent public funding and policy interventions to ensure equitable access to essential medicines, argues Laurent Fraisse, R&D director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative. “This is not just a market failure: Without action,it becomes a public policy failure,” Fraisse stated. The WHO report underscores a “dual crisis” in the antibacterial pipeline, signaling a potentially devastating impact on global health security.
Several proposals are being considered to address the innovation gap. One model gaining traction is a ”pay or play” system, mirroring approaches used to combat antimicrobial resistance, where companies not investing in infectious disease R&D would financially support those that do. European nations are also exploring “pull” incentive systems for neglected disease research, similar to the priority review voucher programme offered by the U.S. Food and Drug governance.
Nonprofit R&D organizations are expected to remain vital, but must adapt by expanding their reach and forging partnerships with biotechs, academic institutions, and pharmaceutical companies across a more geographically diverse range of countries. A extensive solution requires collaboration among governments,pharmaceutical companies,universities,funders,and affected communities,experts say. Failure to act,thay warn,will exacerbate existing inequities in access to critical medicines.
