GSK to improve access to drugs to world’s poorest
New operating unit dedicated to expanding access to medicines in the Least Developed Countries
As part of its commitment to further transform the company’s approach to diseases that disproportionately affect the world’s poorest people, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is creating a new operating unit dedicated to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
A new Developing Countries and Market Access operating unit has been created that will integrate GSK's pharmaceutical business in LDCs into one group. The group will provide a dedicated focus on the strategic approaches needed to expand access to medicines for patients living in these countries.
‘Access to medicines continues to become hardwired into the way we do our business as we seek new solutions to challenges in all the communities in which we operate,’ said Andrew Witty, ceo, GSK. ‘Creating an operating unit specifically for the Least Developed Countries builds on our commitment to change the landscape of healthcare for the world’s poorest people.'
Duncan Learmouth has been appointed to lead this new group with effect from 1 August. He will report to Abbas Hussain, President, Emerging Markets/Asia Pacific. The new group will also include the Market Access function that supports access programmes and policies for the wider Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific (EMAP) Region.
GSK recently reduced the prices of its patented medicines by an average of 45% in LDCs. The company is also reinvesting 20% of profits from medicines in LDC countries back into projects that strengthen healthcare infrastructure and help widen access to medicines.