DECLARATION
Universal Access to Affordable Medicine
In 1946, the World Health Organization stated in its Constitution:
“The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”
Despite advances in health care we face a significant global challenge. The problem of unaffordable medicine.
Every year around the world 100 million people are pushed below the poverty line as a result of health care expenses. Over 10 million die because they cannot afford the medicine they need.
We declare that the highest attainable standard of health includes access to medicine for treatment when needed, at an affordable price, regardless of where we live.
We declare that innovations in medicines should be designed to be affordable for everyone.
We declare that access to affordable medicine must be a global priority that requires the pharmaceutical industry, governments and international agencies to generate conditions in which everyone can be as healthy as possible.
We declare that access to affordable medicine is a basic right for all people.
We recognize the complexity of the discovery, development and distribution process to create the medicine they need.
We invite governments, pharmaceutical companies, international agencies, foundations and innovators to design systems and business models that support universal access to affordable medicine.
We declare the need for universal access to affordable medicine so that the highest attainable standard of health is available to every human being.
