Pfizer joins Africa Gov’t effort to close health inequity gap

Equity is a core value that we share and a driving force in the work we do every day. Many advances have been made through science, infrastructure and technology that are allowing people to live longer and healthier lives, but the COVID-19 pandemic has shined a spotlight on the complexity of health systems and the disparities that exist around the world.

We know there is more that must be done to close the health equity gap.

In an effort to address the challenges and broader systemic barriers that currently limit, or worse, prevent equitable access to life-saving healthcare solutions in many lower-income countries and enable access to innovative medicines and vaccines in these countries, we are committed to finding new ways to expand equitable access for medicines and vaccines. Our hope is that this will enable greater health for people and safeguard the right to health for all.

Doctor and patient using digital tablet in office

Today, Pfizer is launching “An Accord for a Healthier World”, a groundbreaking initiative where we have committed to provide all of our patent-protected medicines and vaccines available in the U.S. or the European Union on a not-for-profit basis for 1.2 billion people living in 45 lower-income countries—all 27 low-income countries and 18 countries that have transitioned from low to lower-middle-income classification in the last 10 years. These products have the potential to treat diseases that kill nearly one million people each year in these countries and negatively impact the quality of life for at least half a million more. As Pfizer launches new medicines and vaccines, those products will also be included into the Accord portfolio on a not-for-profit basis.

As we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, supply is only the first step to helping patients. Through the Accord, we will work closely with global health leaders to make improvements in diagnosis, education, infrastructure, storage and more. Only when we overcome all the obstacles can we end healthcare inequities and deliver for all patients.

Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi, Senegal and Uganda are proud to lead the way as early adopters of the Accord. We will provide early insights and identify opportunities to ensure all medicines and vaccines can reach those in need, including technical expertise, training, diagnostic capacity and innovative financing. We will collaborate with other Accord partners to identify quick and efficient regulatory pathways and procurement processes to reduce the timelines and barriers for access.

To achieve success with the Accord, we call upon global health leaders and organizations to work together with us in this endeavor to find new ways to expedite equitable access and change the lives of patients who are most in need—today and into the future.

Throughout the pandemic, we have seen the world come together like never before in brave and bold new ways. Now we must build on this momentum to take even greater strides to ensure greater health equity for all.

Learn more about An Accord for a Healthier World and how we will work together to close the health equity gap.

Albert Bourla, President and CEO of Pfizer

Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana

Macky Sall, President of Senegal

Lazarus Chakwera, President of Malawi

Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda

Source- Guardian News