MAPGuideⓇ
Equitable Access Policies
Approaches to Equitable Access
This page provides information on equitable access policies and other resources published by a range of global health R&D funders, product development partnerships, academic and public sector research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies.
R&D Funders
This section includes access policies and related resources published by impact investors, philanthropic foundations and multilateral and non-profit organizations that provide funding for medical product R&D.
CARB-X
Stewardship & Access Plan Development Guide
This document provides guidance for developers of therapeutics, diagnostics and preventatives. It outlines CARB-X’s expectations of product developers regarding stewardship & access plans, and aims to inspire other organizations to develop and act upon their own access principles.
CEPI
Equitable Access
CEPI has published a number of resources related to its commitments to equitable access including an Equitable Access Framework, which articulates CEPI’s role in the ‘end-to-end’ process for achieving equitable access, as well as an Equitable Access Policy.
CEPI has also published summaries and independent reviews of the access obligations included in a number of its funding agreements along with an ‘equitable access dashboard‘ which outlines the access requirements that it may consider for inclusion in funding agreements.
European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership
Work Programme
The 2025 Work Programme for EDCTP3 sets out expectations for grantees to ensure affordable access and emphasises that this will be a legal obligation included in grant agreements. For some calls under the Work Programme, grantees will be required to develop appropriate and proportionate access plans.
Gates Foundation
Global Access Statement
This statement provides an explanation of the concept of global access and sets out some of the requirements that the Gates Foundation may make of its grantees. These requirements include the development of a Global Access Strategy, the grant of a Humanitarian License or other IP rights to the Foundation, and regular progress reporting to the Foundation. The statement also includes explanations of the core elements to be included in a Global Access Strategy.
GHIT Fund
Access Policy
The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund’s access policy has two components: data access and product access. The data access policy focuses on the transparency and accessibility of data generated with GHIT funding. The product access policy addresses requirements related to voluntary licensing and affordable pricing.
GHIT has also signed an MOU with MPP under which MPP may contribute its expertise in licensing and technology transfer to support the implementation of GHIT’s access policy.
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR)
Principles & Recommended Practices
ICCR, a coalition of faith- and values-based investors, encourages action by pharmaceutical companies on their access mandates. It has set out a statement of six principles and recommended practices related to access & affordability, innovative R&D models, ethical business practices, community investment, partnerships & collaboration, and transparency & disclosure.
RIGHT Foundation
Global Access Policy
The Research Investment for Global Health Technology (RIGHT) Foundation sets out a Global Access Policy based on: (i) the prompt & broad dissemination of project data; and (ii) accessibility and availability in terms of price, quantity, quality and timeframe of products & innovations arising from funded projects.
Triple I for Global Health
Impact Reporting Guidelines
The Impact Investment Initiative (Triple I)
for Global Health promotes impact investments and impact transparency for global health issues. It has published a Reporting Guidelines and Framework document and a Practitioner Guide to support effective global health investment strategies and development of a common framework for impact measurement.
Wellcome Trust
Equitable Access to Healthcare Interventions
The Wellcome Trust’s statement on maximising access to healthcare interventions includes contractual mechanisms such as global access plans, revenue sharing agreements, and stewardship plans. Wellcome has also published a report setting out its commitments to tackling access-related challenges, and a follow-up report reflecting on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Product Development Partnerships
This section includes access policies and related resources published product development partnerships (PDPs).
DNDi
Pro-Access Policies
The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) has an access policy and an intellectual property policy, both of which outline DNDi’s approach to facilitating access to products resulting from its R&D collaborations. Its approach includes the use of an access framework, and application of the guiding principles of equitable and affordable access, catalytic impact, SMART partnerships and country ownership.
DNDi recently published a paper on ‘Striking fair deals for equitable access to medicines‘ which provides further details of access provisions in its agreements.
FIND
Global Access Policy
FIND’s global access policy statement outlines “Four A’s” that govern its work with over 160 partners each year: Available, Appropriate, Affordable, and Adopted. FIND avoids a one-size-fits-all approach and instead focuses on best-fit solutions, affordable and quality products, affordable diagnostic solutions, and accelerated adoption with the context of LMICs.
IVCC
Global Market Access
IVCC’s Global Access Strategy aims to: (i) minimise time to optimal impact; (ii) support evidence-based deployment; and (iii) ensure the effective and sustainable management of insecticide resistance, whilst sustaining innovation. IVCC considers Access as a coordinated set of activities to ensure that vector control products are available, affordable, and acceptable to end users, and adopted into developing country health systems.
MMV
IP for Affordable Medicines
The Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) highlights the need to enter into agreements that meet its public health mission. MMV’s Intellectual Property Policy aims to manage background and foreground IP in a way that ensures equitable and affordable access to quality-assured products co-developed by MMV and its partners. MMV has also published an article on its approach to managing IP.
TB Alliance
Commitment to Access
The TB Alliance follows a “AAA Mandate”: new products must be Adopted by regulatory bodies, must be Available to populations in need, and must be Affordable to patients with TB, within their health systems. To achieve this mandate, the TB alliance works with stakeholders and partners to ensure new products are endorsed and recommended, to perform and disseminate new research, and to ensure a consistent and affordable global supply chain.
GARDP
Access Strategy
GARDP’s Access Strategy sets out its access principles, objectives and priority activities, which include entering into in- and out-license agreements with provisions that support sustainable, quality-assured, and affordable access. GARDP also publishes details of its license agreements on its website.
Academic & Research Institutions
This section includes access policies and principles published by universities, government research agencies, and other organizations that conduct advocacy or policy activities with research institutions.
AUTM
Nine Points to Consider in Licensing University Technology
AUTM, a non-profit organization providing resources for university technology transfer offices, has published principles and guidelines including a global health toolkit and COVID-19 Licensing Guidelines to support the development of licenses that promote global access. AUTM also endorses the Nine Points to Consider in Licensing University Technology, which include a point on including provisions that address unmet needs.
Emory University
Technology Transfer for Global Access
This document from Emory University’s Office of Technology Transfer outlines the university’s guiding principles in innovation access. These guiding principles include seeking industry partners and creating new companies, engaging in open discussion with industry partners in regards to philanthropic access, supporting production in low- and middle-income countries, and following effective global access principles when licensing Emory inventions.
Erasmus MC
Socially Responsible Licensing
Erasmus MC states that its licensing activities consider the 10 socially responsible licensing principles set out by NFU to ensure that its licensing agreements contribute to the welfare of society.
Harvard University
Global Access Provisions
Harvard has developed a set of global access provisions which may be required in exclusive licenses for technology which could have significant public health benefits. The provisions include: (i) definitions of Developing Countries, Humanitarian Purposes and Qualified Humanitarian Organization; (ii) retained rights for humanitarian purposes; (iii) the right to grant third party licenses for sale and distribution of a licensed product in developing countries; and (iv) tiered royalty rates for developing countries.
Harvard, MIT, and Stanford
COVID-19 Technology Access Framework
The COVID-19 Technology Access Framework was jointly developed by Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Stanford University and subsequently adopted by a number of other universities. The Framework sets out commitments for equitable access to university innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Intellectual Property Policy
LSTM’s IP Policy states that it is committed to supporting fair access to medicines in low income countries, and will take account of this commitment when commercialising IP.
LSTM has also signed an MOU with the Medicines Patent Pool which sets out ways in which the parties may collborate to facilitate global access to the LSTM IP portfolio.
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Intellectual Property Policy
LHSTM’s IP Policy states that LSHTM will aim to facilitate equitable access to health-related technologies in all licensing agreements. To achieve this goal, LSHTM may: (i) require provisions in commercial agreements that promote the availability of treatments at affordable prices in low income countries; (ii) adopt an IP strategy to promote access in low income countries; and/or (iii) agree to waive its right to receive licensing revenue.
McGill University
Global Access Principles
McGill University’s Global Access Principles include (i) an open science approach and the availability and accessibility of information; (ii) evaluation of the necessity and benefits of intellectual property protection for different territories; and (iii) the structuring of licensing terms to improve global access, such as non-exclusive and field or territory specific licenses, sublicensing programs, and royalty structures that encourage commercialization at a reasonable cost.
Netherlands Federation of University Medical Centres
Ten Principles for Socially Responsible Licensing
The Netherlands Federation of University Medical Centres (NFU) developed the Ten Principles in 2019, and together with the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), has since created other resources including a patent license toolkit.
Northwestern University
Access-Oriented Agreement Provisions
Northwestern’s template license agreements for therapeutics and medical devices include a requirement for licensees to use reasonable efforts to make licensed products available to low- and middle-income countries at or below the cost of manufacture and distribution. The templates also provide for the grant of licenses or sublicenses to fulfil market needs for Humanitarian Purposes.
Universities Allied for Essential Medicines
Equitable Access Framework & Global Licensing Principles
Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM) is global network of university students promoting global access to university healthcare innovations. UAEM has developed a Global Access Licensing (GAL) Toolkit which provides examples of terms that can be included in university license agreements. UAEM also publishes Global Health Grades for research universities in several countries.
University of British Columbia
Global Access Principles
The University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Global Access Principles include a statement that societal impact has become a key metric alongside standard throughput, financial and economic measurements in measuring the success of technology transfer activities. UBC will seek to enter into public/private partnerships to develop new technolgies for the developing world, as well as negotiating “at cost” pricing for developing countries under exclusive license agreements.
A paper on the successes and challenges of UBC’s principles provides further discussion of the practices applied by UBC to promote global access to university innovations.
UC Berkeley
Socially Responsible Licensing
The Socially Responsible Licensing Program (SLRP) page from the UC Berkeley Office of Intellectual Property & Industry Research Alliances (IPIRA) provides a number of useful resources including model agreement clauses, articles, presentations and examples of SLRP projects.
UC Berkeley has also published a template exclusive license agreement which includes a requirement for an Affordable Access Plan. This was developed in partnership with UAEM.
UCLA
Considering Underserved Populations When Licensing Medical Research Discoveries
UCLA has stated its commitment to transparent and equitable biomedical research, including ensuring affordable access for underserved populations. In order to support affordability, UCLA licensees must provide an affordable access plan upon receipt of FDA approval for a licensed product.
The affordable access provision included in UCLA license agreements is the result of discussions between UCLA leadership, student advocacy groups and the Medicines Patent Pool. A meeting summary is available here.
University of Dundee
Policy for Maximizing the Benefits of University Health Research for LMICs
The University of Dundee’s IP Policy states that it will seek to promote affordable access to University-developed medicines through actions including: (i) appropriate provisions in commercial licenses and collaboration agreements; (ii) participation in IP pooling initiatives; (iii) utilizing appropriate IP management and protection strategies.
University of Edinburgh
Statement of Principles for Access to Medical Technologies in Developing Countries
This statement outlines the University of Edinburgh’s approach to licensing health-related technologies, including: (i) filing patents in developing countries “only as necessary”; (ii) encouraging early publication & wide dissemination of research; (iii) making efforts to use creative and effective licensing strategies to promote global access; and (iv) support the development of technologies for medical conditions that disproportionately impact communities in developing countries, without regard to the economic value for the university.
University of Oxford
Access to Essential Medicines in the Developing World
The University of Oxford’s policy to support development and distribution of new health-related technologies for less developed countries is: (i) to prosecute patent applications in less developed countries only as necessary; and (ii) to grant licences with provisions that seek to increase the availability of medicines at affordable prices to less developed countries.
University of Manchester
Intellectual Property Policy
The University of Manchester’s IP Policy states its commitment to supporting fair access to medicines for those in low income countries. The University will seek to implement technology transfer strategies that promote the availability of essential medicines whilst recognising any legitimate business concerns.
University of Michigan
Therapeutics Licensing
The University of Michigan’s approach to licensing of therapeutic technologies is intended to balance the investment required for early-stage discovery with the need for diligent development and broad accessibility to ensure that new treatments reach patients and create meaningful societal impact. The University has published a template exclusive license agreement for therapeutics which includes a requirement for an Affordable Access Plan.
University of Washington
Reservation of Rights for Humanitarian Purposes
The Exclusive License template published by the University of Washington includes a “Reservation of Rights for Humanitarian Purposes” provision which enables the University to require a licensee to grant sublicenses under licensed patents if the licensee fails to meet health or safety needs or requirements for public use.
U.S. National Institutes of Health
Access Planning Policy
The NIH’s Intramural Research Program (IRP) Access Planning Policy seeks to improve access to medical products developed from NIH-owned inventions. The Policy applies to licenses for the commercialization of medical products and requires license applicants to submit an access plan including strategies to promote product affordability, availability, acceptability, and sustainability. The Policy is accompanied by implementation guidance to support licensees with fulfilling the requirements of the Policy.
WIPO-ASEAN Regional Project
Institutional IP Policy Model
This Institutional IP Policy Model for Universities and Research Institutions in ASEAN was developed through a project between the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation and WIPO. The model includes a provision highlighting consideration of the principle of Socially Responsible Knowledge/Technology Transfer, defined as facilitating the availability of products in developing countries at locally affordable prices under reasonable circumstances and terms.
Industry
This section includes access policies and statements published by the companies included in the 2024 Access to Medicine Index.
AbbVie
Intellectual Property and Patient Access
AbbVie’s policy on Intellectual Property and Patient Access sets out AbbVie’s rationale for protecting its IP and states that it participates in projects dedicated to furthering the responsible use of intellectual property such as being a signatory to the IP Principles for Advancing Cures and Therapies (IP PACT) and participating in Pat-INFORMED (Patent Information Initiative for Medicines).
The policy also cites AbbVie’s involvement in license agreements with MPP to increase LMIC access, as well as its patient assistance programs in the U.S. and programs to reduce out-of-pocket cost burdens for patients outside of the U.S..
Astellas
Position on Access to Health
Astellas’ position statement on Access to Health identifies three areas for leveraging its capabilities, technologies and expertise to contribute to better global health: (i) creating and delivering innovative medicines and medical solutions to satisfy unmet medical needs; (ii) enhancing availability of Astellas products; and (iii) supporting activities implemented by external partners.
Specific actions identified for enhancing availability include product donation and voluntary licensing programs, and commitments not to file or enforce patents in Astellas commits to not filing or enforcing patents in Least Developed Countries (as defined by the United Nations) or Low Income Countries (as defined by the World Bank).
AstraZeneca
Affordability Statement
AstraZeneca’s Affordability Statement sets out a commitment to implement innovative solutions in order to optimise affordability and accessibility for patients, including addressing barriers beyond price where necessary. The statement outlines AstraZeneca’s approach to sustainable affordability and availability in practice including the use of value-based agreements, patient assistance programs, and access to healthcare programs.
Bayer
Access to Medicine Strategy
The Access to Medicine Strategy forming part of Bayer’s Patient Access Charter is built on 4 cornerstones: (i) empowering women; (ii) inclusive and sustainable growth; (iii) health system strengthening and capacity building; and (iv) product development with a structured access planning approach.
The strategy also lists 10 access commitments including preparing access plans for pipeline products no later than Phase II, not filing for or enforcing patents in LICs, making products available in all countries where clinical trials were conducted, and applying equitable pricing principles to ensure affordability in LMICs.
Boehringer Ingelheim
Access to Healthcare Strategy
BI’s 2025 Manifesto sets out an approach based on the pillars of: (i) availability; (ii) sustainable access models; and (iii) innovative solutions for awareness and adherence. The manifesto also highlights BI’s “one health” approach, as well as its goal of equipping underserved communities with the means to ensure ongoing access to health.
BI’s Patent Policy includes commitments not to file or enforce patents in certain low- and middle-income countries, support for the TRIPS Agreement, and collaboration with R&D partners for the development of innovative solutions to healthcare challenges.
Bristol Myers Squibb
Global Access & Pricing Position Statement
BMS’ Global Access and Pricing Position Statement sets out 3 core principles for its efforts to ensure patients worldwide can access medicines regardless of location or ability to pay: (i) embedding access considerations as a core tenet across BMS’ business; (ii) employing innovative pricing models; and (iii) creating long-term sustainable solutions.
BMS also has a 10-year ASPIRE strategy to help patients in LMICs live healthier lives. Actions under this strategy include creating new access pathways and membership of the ATOM Coalition.
Daiichi Sankyo
Policy on Access to Healthcare
Daiichi Sankyo’s Group Policy on Access to Healthcare sets out 3 priority areas for addressing access to healthcare: (i) R&D; (ii) Availability; and (iii) capacity building.
Daiichi Sankyo’s Policy on Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Medicines in Developing Countries includes a statement of countries in which it does not intend to file or enforce IP rights, and the company’s position on compulsory licensing under the TRIPS Agreement.
Eisai
Human Health Care Concept
Eisai’s hhc concept sets out its partnership-based model for improving affordability, availability, adoption, architecture, and access to medicines. It also has a Flexible Pricing Policy in Emerging and Developing Countries setting out its actions to enable the broad and sustainable provision of medicines through affordable pricing.
Eisai’s statement on Intellectual Property and Access to Medicines sets out its position on non-exclusive licensing, patent evergreening, non-enforcement of patents related to medicines for certain diseases in certain countries, and the TRIPS Agreement.
Eli Lilly
Global Access & Health
The Global Access & Health section of Lilly’s sustainability report sets out its 30×30 model to improve access to quality healthcare for 30 million people annually in resource-limited settings by 2030. Lilly also describes its value-based approach to pricing and support for public policies for affordable pricing.
Lilly’s intellectual property statement outlines its position on protecting its IP rights and its participation in the IP Principles for Advancing Cures and Therapies (IP PACT).
Gilead
Global Health & Access
Information on Gilead’s Commitment to Access page includes its strategy for access to long-acting HIV PrEP, and work related to HIV, viral hepatitis, and invasive fungal infections. It also provides details of its Access Partnerships including its network of regional distributors and licensees, as well as its engagement with the Medicines Patent Pool. Copies of the form license agreements for HIV, Hepatitis and COVID-19 drugs are also published on the access partnerships page.
GSK
Pricing & Access Principles
GSK’s four Pricing and Access Principles are: (i) focus on innovation; (ii) value innovation; (iii) reach patients; and (iii) accountable for actions. Its policy position on Pricing and Access includes the development of pricing strategies based on country-specific circumstances, working in partnerships, consideration of technology transfer in certain circumstances and the need for a supportive policy and financing environment.
GSK’s position on Intellectual Property includes not filing or enforcing patents in LDCs, LICs and the majority of LMICs, as well as participation in the Pat-INFORMED initiative.
Johnson & Johnson
Global Health Equity
J&J’s approach to addressing global health inequities includes activities to advance access to its medicines and technologies, enabling community-centred care, and supporting the health workforce. J&J’s Position on Intellectual Property includes its view that IP is an important facilitator of accessible and affordable healthcare in developing countries.
MSD
Access to Health Principles
MSD’s Statement of Guiding Principles on Access to Health includes: (i) conducting R&D to meet global health needs; (ii) making medicines available in a timely, responsible and sustainable manner; (iii) implementing solutions that address barriers to access and affordability; and (iv) health systems strengthening. The company’s statement on Intellectual Property refers to its license agreements with generic manufacturers and MPP for the COVID-19 therapeutic molnupiravir.
Merck KGaA
Health Equity
Merck sets out its strategic priorities to fight infectious diseases, schistosomiasis, and malaria. Its approach is structured into pillars of availability, accessibility and affordability. Merck’s stated goal for access to health is to enabling access to its medicines for 80 million patients a year by 2030 through equitable pricing and health systems strengthening, registration of its products in more LMICs, and ensuring that future registrations in LMICs are implemented within 12 months of first global launch.
Novartis
Access Principles
Novartis’ Access Principles and Position on Access to Medicines establish its commitment to systematically integrate access strategies into its R&D and delivery of new medicines. The principles cover innovative pricing and access models, needs-based R&D, and healthcare systems strengthening.
Novartis’ position on patents and licensing includes a statement that it does not seek or enforce patents in LDCs, LICs and most LMICs, as well as a commitment to grant non-exclusive licenses to qualified third parties for supply to LDCs or to LICs. Novartis also references it participation in Pat-INFORMED, IP PACT, and the WIPO Inventor Assistance Program.
Novo Nordisk
Access & Affordability
Novo Nordisk has published a Position on Medicine Pricing, a Position on Intellectual Property, a Position on Medicines Donation, and a Position on Access to Diabetes Care. Novo Nordisk’s position on pricing includes tailored approach according to the local medical needs, healthcare context and system-specific guidance for patient access, it also commits to a guaranteed ceiling price for insulin in LDCs and LICs as well as in humanitarian settings. The IP position statement includes abstaining from obtaining patents in LDCs and LICs, and never enforcing patents in those countries.
Pfizer
Global Access
Pfizer’s Accord for a Healthier World is its commitment to provide access to its medicines and vaccines on a not-for-profit basis to 1.2 billion people in 45 lower-income countries.
Pfizer’s Patent Policy Position references its participation in IP PACT, pat-INFORMED, and WIPO Inventor Assistance Program, as well as its support for the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health. The position also sets out Pfizer’s policy of patent non-enforcement in LDCs, and its engagement with MPP and other partners to support access to its products.
Roche
Improving Access to Healthcare
Roche’s approach to improving access to healthcare and Pricing Position includes consideration of International Differential Pricing to support sustainable access in lower-income countries.
Roche has also published a position statement on TRIPS and the Doha Declaration, and a statement on Enabling Access through Collaborations and Patent Pools.
Sanofi
Global Access & Pricing Principles
Sanofi’s Global Access and Pricing Principles are based on two pillars: (i) clear rationale for pricing and access at the time of launch of a new medicine or vaccine; and (ii) inclusion of affordability criteria into pricing considerations for new launches.
Sanofi’s ESG statement on intellectual property sets out its approach to patents and access to medicines including not filing or enforcing patents in LDCs, LICs, and some middle income countries, support for the Doha Declaration, making the patent status of its essential medicines and vaccines in developing countries publicly available, and acknowledgement of the value of voluntary license agreements.
Takeda
Access to Medicines
Takeda’s Position on Access to Medicines sets out its commitment to broadening access to its medicines and vaccines using an approach guided by the pillars of integration, sustainability, and collaboration. Its Position on Pricing includes the use of tiered pricing, value-based pricing and patient assistance programs.
Takeda’s Position on Intellectual Property for Access to Medicines states that it will not file or enforce patents in LDCs and LICs, will support voluntary licenses, non assert declarations and clauses to improve patient access, and will make patent information available to the public upon request.