The Access to Medicine Foundation is an independent non-profit organization that seeks to transform the healthcare system by motivating and mobilizing companies to expand access to their essential healthcare products in low- and middle-income countries.
Founded in 2003 by Dutch entrepreneur Wim Leereveld, the foundation aims to encourage the pharmaceutical industry to do more for the billions of people who lack access to medicines and to reduce global health inequalities.
As an independent research foundation, Access to Medicine catalyzes change by urging healthcare companies to do their part and improve their performance in providing access to essential medicines.
To achieve this goal, the foundation uses data, research, rankings, and evaluation reports, including its Access to Medicine Index. It also leverages a network of influential stakeholders, including investors, governments, and the public.
The foundation’s “model for change” includes three key elements:
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Building consensus on where companies can and should take action to improve access to medicines;
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Benchmarking companies and stimulating competition by identifying top performers;
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Supporting best practices identified through research.
Using this model, the foundation outlines the actions healthcare companies should take, analyzes what companies are actually doing, and ultimately promotes best practices.
For more information: accesstomedicinefoundation.org
