Geneva, 22 October 2019 – In a joint declaration published on 20 October 2019, the G20 Health Ministers gathered in Okayama, Japan drew attention to some major global health issues, including achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 through “access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines” as defined by the Sustainable Development Goals. In that context, they specifically mentioned their support of the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) expansion to essential medicines.

In 2018, at the request of the international community, MPP expanded its mandate beyond treatment for HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis to other essential medicines and in 2019, MPP published a prioritisation framework that outlines a precise methodology for assessing candidate medicines that could play a major role in MPP’s expanded mandate.

“After the supportive mention of the G7 Health Ministers in May, we are honoured to receive support from the G20 Health Ministers and are committed to playing our part in the global effort towards achieving UHC by 2030,” said Charles Gore, Executive Director of the Medicines Patent Pool.

In their declaration, the G20 Health Ministers also highlighted the importance of managing health risks and health security, such as antimicrobial resistance as well as strengthening health systems towards achieving UHC.

G20 mention of MPP: “14. We support the engagement of all relevant organizations, such as WHO, UNAIDS, Gavi, the Global Fund, and Unitaid and initiatives, including the recent expansion of the Medicines Patent Pool, in their work to improve access for all to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential health products.”

Access the full declaration

About MPP

The Medicines Patent Pool 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 nine patent holders for thirteen HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals and a tuberculosis treatment. MPP was founded by Unitaid, which serves as sole funder for MPP’s activities in HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis.

Media enquiries

Sophie Thievenaz

Medicines Patent Pool
Head of Communications a.i.
sthievenaz@medicinespatentpool.org
+41 79 870 85 52