UK Health Secretary challenged to tackle access to medicines
June 4, 2019NEWS FROM OPEN KNOWLEDGE FOUNDATION
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HEALTH SECRETARY CHALLENGED TO TACKLE ACCESS TO MEDICINES
The Open Knowledge Foundation has written to Westminster Health Secretary Matt Hancock to demand the UK Government plays its role in addressing the global lack of access to medicines. The challenge comes after the UK disassociated itself from an international agreement aimed at reducing the cost of drugs across the world. The resolution at the World Health Assembly was designed to improve the transparency of markets for medicines, vaccines, and other health products. It brought together countries including Brazil, Spain, Russia and India in recognition of the critical role played by health products and services innovation in bringing new treatments and value to patients and health care systems. By sharing information on the price paid for medicines and the results of clinical trials, countries can work together to negotiate fair prices on equal terms with the aim of lowering drug costs.
Catherine Stihler, chief executive of the Open Knowledge Foundation, said: “It is shameful that the UK Government is not willing to stand in solidarity with people most at risk of illness and death because of lack of access to medicines. “We live in extraordinary times when new medical and technological advances are capable of saving millions of lives. They key to building equality for all is greater openness and transparency, and this philosophy must also be applied to healthcare. “By sharing information on the price paid for medicines and the results of clinical trials, countries can work together to negotiate fair prices on equal terms with the aim of lowering drug costs. Quite simply, openness can save lives across the world. “I urge Matt Hancock to strongly reconsider the UK’s position.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Background on the UK’s decision is available here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/uk-fails-back-international-agreement-reducing-drug-costs/
The full letter to Matt Hancock is below
3rd June 2019
Dear Matt,
I was deeply concerned to read that the UK has disassociated itself from an international agreement aimed at reducing the cost of drugs across the world. The resolution at the World Health Organization’s 72nd World Health Assembly was designed to improve the transparency of markets for medicines, vaccines, and other health products. It brought together countries including Brazil, Spain, Russia and India in recognition of the critical role played by health products and services innovation in bringing new treatments and value to patients and health care systems.
I know you have been contacted by civil society organisations working in sub Saharan Africa about this vital issue. I share the serious concerns that have been raised about the high prices for some health products, and the inequitable access in society, which impedes progress towards universal health coverage across the globe. It is shameful that the UK Government is not willing to stand in solidarity with people most at risk of illness and death because of lack of access to medicines.
The Open Knowledge Foundation exists to promote openness across the globe, campaigning for a fair, free and open future. We live in extraordinary times when new medical and technological advances are capable of saving millions of lives. They key to building equality for all is greater openness and transparency, and this philosophy must also be applied to healthcare. By sharing information on the price paid for medicines and the results of clinical trials, countries can work together to negotiate fair prices on equal terms with the aim of lowering drug costs. Quite simply, openness can save lives across the world.
I urge you to strongly reconsider the UK’s position and look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Catherine Stihler CEO Open Knowledge Foundation
Contact: Alan Roden at alan.roden@okfn.org or +44 (0)7753 904 531
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