The 2024 Patient Reach report by the Access to Medicine Foundation, set to launch on September 10, 2024, addresses the critical issue of how pharmaceutical companies are reaching patients worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Progress in Expanding Access to Medicines
Many pharmaceutical companies have taken bold steps to increase their global patient reach, particularly in LMICs. Companies such as Bayer, GSK, and Johnson & Johnson have set clear and ambitious targets, with their goals aligned to address diseases that impose a high burden on these regions.
“Pharmaceutical companies play a critical role in expanding access to medicines in LMICs, and we are encouraged by the commitments from several key players in the industry,” said Marijn Verhoef, Director of Operations and Research at the Access to Medicine Foundation. “Many of these commitments are measurable and publicly available, which is a strong indication that companies are moving in the right direction.”
Findings from the report also reveal significant potential for companies to refine their commitments and better their efforts to reach those in need. For example, the major insulin manufacturers—Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi—control over 90% of the market share and have pledged to expand access to their products in LMICs. Yet, their commitments collectively address only 1% of the diabetes prevalence within the 113 LMICs in the scope of the Index, which currently stands at over 350 million cases out of the global 525 million cases, according to Global Burden of Disease data from 2021.
Areas in Need of Urgent Improvement
The report outlines seven key areas for improvement, urging pharmaceutical companies to collaborate more effectively, particularly in measuring and reporting patient reach. According to the findings, 19 of the 20 companies assessed track the number of patients they reach with essential medicines in LMICs, but the lack of a unified approach leads to inconsistent data.
“Pharmaceutical companies need to collaborate with one another to establish common principles on how to measure and report patient reach,” said Verhoef. “This will allow for better identification of gaps in access and ensure that the right patients are being reached.”
The report also recommends that companies ensure transparency in their patient reach metrics. By making this data publicly available, both companies and global health organizations will be better equipped to identify gaps and focus efforts where they are needed mosmost.
The Role of Research and Development
R&D plays a critical role in advancing global health, particularly in developing treatments for unmet medical needs in LMICs.
“Large pharmaceutical companies are crucial in bringing innovative medicines to market, but they also need to focus on access planning during development,” noted Verhoef. “This can make a significant difference in how quickly new treatments are available to underserved populations.”
Leading the Way in Product Delivery
Several companies are demonstrating notable success in product delivery, particularly in improving access to care for specific populations. Initiatives targeting diseases like diabetes and programs aimed at eradicating other conditions have shown year-on-year improvements in patient reach.
The report highlights that 7 companies including AstraZeneca, Novartis, and Roche, have improved their sales volume calculations by incorporating assumptions about treatment adherence. These adjustments have allowed for more accurate patient reach calculations, ultimately leading to more effective strategies forf delivering essential medicines.
The Importance of Collaborations
One of the key insights from the report is the importance of partnerships between pharmaceutical companies and global health organizations.
These collaborations often rely on data collected from partner organizations to estimate patient reach, but larger programs tend to make assumptions rather than relying on direct data.
“Companies need to work closely with their partners to ensure accurate tracking of patient reach,” said Verhoef. “By integrating this into partnership agreements, companies can better track their impact on harder-to-reach populations.”
Future Implications for Global Health
The findings of the 2024 Patient Reach report will have significant implications for global health, particularly in the context of emerging infectious diseases and pandemics.
“By increasing transparency and setting patient reach goals, companies can better collaborate with their partners to make sure essential health products reach underserved populations,” said Verhoef. “This will not only prevent unnecessary loss of life but also curb the spread of diseases.”
Shaping the Future of Global Health Initiatives
As the pharmaceutical industry continues to engage with global health priorities, the findings from the 2024 Patient Reach Report offer a clear path forward. The report calls for harmonized measurements across the industry, which would allow stakeholders, including governments and global health organizations, to make more informed decisions about partnerships, policies, and investments.
“Publicly disclosing patient reach data will be vital for improving global health outcomes,” said Verhoef. “Governments and procurers are keen to better understand the outcomes of companies’ efforts, and clearer, more standardized metrics will enable more effective action in expanding access.”
Click below to AAccess the Medicine Foundation Patient Report .