Access to medicines and vaccines
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THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
L’ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE, INC
ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL, INC
Centre International de Bureaux FEIN : 13-2566243
Immeuble A “Keynes” Website : www.wma.net Postal Address :
13, chemin du Levant Telephone : (33) 4 50 40 75 75 Boîte Postale 63
01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Fax : (33) 4 50 40 59 37 01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Cedex
France E-mail address : wma@wma.net France
72nd
World Health Assembly
11.7 Addressing the global shortage of, and access to medicine
Honourable Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates,
Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the World Medical Association, which
represents 9 million physicians around the world.
Recognizing the challenges that many still face in accessing safe, effective, quality and affordable
essential medicines the WMA would like to remind this Assembly that equitable access to
medicines and vaccines will contribute to the reducing health inequities and that it is a prerequisite
for achieving Universal Health Coverage. We therefore commend the WHO on the elaboration of a
comprehensive roadmap to achieving numerous concrete deliverables. Nevertheless, we note with
concern the severe underfunding for work in this field and would encourage member state to ensure
the necessary financial support for meeting all the milestones listed.
The WMA encourages the WHO to work on R&D, manufacturing and distribution models that
address global challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, drug shortages and equitable access.
Innovation should be driven by public health priorities and contribute to developing accessible
necessary drugs. We urge the WHO to support governments who choose to use TRIPS flexibilities
to access necessary drugs. And, we urge Member States to strengthen regulatory systems, and to
increase transparency in drug pricing.
Our members are committed to advocating for the needs of their patients for safe, affordable,
effective and quality medicines and vaccines and the WMA offers its support in building capacity
of physicians worldwide on these issues.
Thank you,