World Conference on Access to Medical Products: Achieving the SDGs 2030

21 November 2019, New Delhi: India has always been a health-aware country and believed in the principles of ‘Panchtatva’ that connotes the five elements i.e. Ether (Akash), Wind (Vayu), Fire (Agni), Water (Jal) and Earth (Prithvi), stated Shri. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare while chairing the closing ceremony of 2019 World Conference on Access to Medical Products.

“We are leading global efforts in addressing challenges of the public health sector under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. India is the leader of the global pharmaceutical industry and generic medicines. With Ayushman Bharat rolled out across the country with its two pillars i.e. Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna (PMJAY), the scheme is contributing immensely towards reducing catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure and expanding universal health coverage (UHC). Under the National Health Policy 2017, India has given priority to preventive, promotive and affordable healthcare”, he further added.

Dr. Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative to India, called India the pharmacy of the world, not just for vaccines, generic drugs and diagnostics but now also for medical devices. “I appreciate the regulatory framework that is put in place in India and I applaud the fact that India has now launched the biggest Hepatitis Control program for low & middle-income countries”, stated Dr. Bekedam while underpinning the contribution of Ayushman Bharat for both Health & Wellness Centers and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY) providing cashless secondary and tertiary care to people and reducing out-of-pocket expenditures.

The dignitaries unanimously echoed the fact that innovation, research, and gains in information technology can lead to more affordable and accessible healthcare. The conference was successful in bringing together the thought leadership under one platform and develop synergies to work towards a common agenda and make healthcare accessible and affordable for all.

Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister, Ministry of Family & Health Welfare, during his inaugural address announced the dates of the 2020 World Conference to be hosted in India from 23-25 September; and affirmed the government’s commitment to keep the momentum going on pertinent and contemporary issues surrounding accessibility, affordability and viability of medical products.

The prominent dignitaries present at the occasion, while the curtains came down on the 2019 World Conference on Access to Medical Products were Mr. Zahid Maleque, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Ms. Dechen Wangmo, Minister for Health, Royal Government of Bhutan; Dr. Arun Panda, Secretary, MoHFW; Mr. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, AYUSH; Ms. Shubra Singh Chairperson, National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA); and Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and MD, Biocon Ltd.

The conference brought together varied stakeholders and leaders from across the world representing multi-disciplinary sectors. The key focus areas of discussion on the concluding day of the conference were: Patent Landscaping for Health Products, Access strategies, Patent Pool Mechanisms, Licensing for Medical Products and Health Technologies including the Role of Pharmaceutical Sector. Regulatory approaches for approval of Pharma and Biosimilar Drugs, National Regulation and International Agreements including Pricing of Medical Products for Affordable Access.

Day 1 update

Day 2 update

For more information, please visit: https://www.worldsdg2030.org