Save the Children partner GSK ranks top in 2018 Access to Medicine Index
Simon Wright, Director of International Development at Save the Children, said:
"Save the Children would like to congratulate our partner, GSK on ranking top of the 2018 Access to Medicine Index. This leading performance for the 6th consecutive time reinforces GSK’s long-standing commitment to improving access to medicines for those living in low and middle income countries. Together, we hope to further build on these efforts and are excited to enter the second phase of our flagship partnership. We will continue to work towards our goal of helping save the lives of millions of children and to help realise the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"For the last decade, the Access to Medicine Index has continued to provide a systematic assessment of the pharmaceutical industry’s efforts to improve access for those living in the poorest countries. Whilst there are areas of progress made by the industry towards realising access, 2 billion people globally cannot get the medicines they need. There is still a long way to go. Pharmaceutical companies – as well as state and non-state actors - must continue to advance and coordinate efforts to ensure people’s right to essential medicines, especially for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health.
"We acknowledge pharmaceutical companies operate different models in low and middle income countries, however it is imperative that ensuring access to life saving medicines for the world’s poor remains at the core of the pharmaceutical industry’s activities."