16 July 2024
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) has been recognised as a “Very High Performer” in the latest Global Health 50/50’s 2024 annual report, “Gaining Ground?”.
The 2024 report, for the first time, separates the analysis of for-profit and nonprofit sectors, highlighting the progress made in gender parity among board chairs and members within nonprofit organisations. With 45% of board chairs and members being women, it marks a significant milestone towards achieving gender equality. This progress is reflected in the rise of public commitments to gender equality, which have grown from 68% in 2018 to 91% in 2024 among nonprofits.
However, the report also sheds light on the persistent challenges and disparities, particularly the underrepresentation of women from low-income countries on nonprofit boards and the need for continued efforts to improve equality and diversity in global health leadership.
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MPP’s performance as a “Very High Performer” and its consistent strength over time underscore the organisation’s dedication and transparency in working towards gender equality. While celebrating these achievements, it is crucial to maintain sustained effort and innovation to continue this progress.
“Global Health 50/50 is pleased to recognise Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) as a Very High Performer in our 2024 Report, Gaining Ground?. We hope MPP’s efforts to advance equality and diversity inspires others. We look to them to continue to push this hard won progress forward for the people working in global health and around the world.”
Professors Sarah Hawkes and Kent Buse, Co-CEOs, Global Health 50/50
Recently a new workplace policy entitled “Menstrual and Menopause Policy” was adopted at MPP. This policy builds on MPP’s commitment to gender equality, and it has been developed to acknowledge and support women who experience painful periods and who transition into menopause.
“I am proud to announce that the Governance Board of MPP has warmly approved our new Menstrual and Menopause Policy in May this year. This is an important addition to our gender and diversity policy and reflects MPP’s determination to normalise these natural and inevitable phases of women’s life which are often seen as taboo.”
Jane Caldwell, Chief Operating Officer
This recognition by Global Health 50/50 is not only an honour but also a call to action for MPP and similar organisations to persist in their efforts towards a more equitable and healthy future for all.
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Press and Media
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to and facilitate the development of life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries. Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations.
To date, MPP has signed agreements with 22 patent holders for 13 HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals, a tuberculosis treatment, a cancer treatment, four long-acting technologies, a post-partum haemorrhage medicine, three oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and 16 COVID-19 technologies.
MPP was founded by Unitaid, which continues to be MPP’s main funder. MPP’s work on access to essential medicines is also funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Government of Canada, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Government of Flanders. MPP’s activities in COVID-19 are undertaken with the financial support of the Japanese Government, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the German Agency for International Cooperation, and SDC.