Bridging the medicines access gap: UNGA 80 Event Report

The event Bridging the Gap: Scaling innovative approaches to NCD medicine access in LMICs held on 23 September, 2025 in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, convened leaders from global health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, governments, regional health bodies, and civil society. 

Organized by the Medicines Patent Pool, Access to Medicine Foundation, NCD Alliance, and the NCD Policy Lab, the event explored strategies for improving access to treatments for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). 

With contributions from PAHO, Africa CDC, GAVI, Unitaid, Novartis, MSD, MedAccess, IGBA, and others, the session highlighted pathways such as voluntary licensing, technology transfer, regional manufacturing, pooled procurement, and innovative financing models. 

This gathering laid the groundwork for an ongoing community of practice committed to making equitable, affordable NCD treatment access a reality worldwide.