Global Health Policy Forum on Access to Medicines

Brussels

Brussels, 20 March 2014

The Global Health Policy Forum met to discuss Access to Medicines on 20 March 2014 at the premises of the European Economic and Social Committee. The European Commission hosted the event and presented an analysis of the many barriers to access to medicines in third countries. It also described its activities and instruments to promote access to medicines.

Five organisations active in this field also presented their views; the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Generic Medicines Association (EGA), Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF), the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). There was an extensive discussion with the participants on the issues involved ranging from safety standards to Intellectual property rights. Copies of the various presentations are attached, as is a list of participants.

Agenda

Presentations

• European Commission Activities on Access to Medicines at the Global Level
  Erdem Erginel
  European Commission - DG Health and Consumers
• WHO views
  Roberto Bertollini MD MPH, Chief Scientist and WHO Representative to the EU
• EFPIA views
  Brendan Barnes
• Médecins Sans Frontières views
  Rohit Malpani