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Thematic Working Groups
Pharmaceutical Policies in Health Systems (PharmPol)
The PharmPol Thematic Working Group (TWG) aims to strengthen global research, dialogue, and capacity on pharmaceutical policies as a critical component of health systems. Recognizing the central role of medical products in achieving universal health coverage, this TWG focuses on equitable access, affordability, quality, supply chain governance, innovation ecosystems, and regulation of medicines and vaccines. It brings together diverse stakeholders to share evidence, build research and teaching capacity—particularly in low- and middle-income countries—and advocate for resilient and people-centered pharmaceutical systems, through interdisciplinary collaboration.
- facilitate cross-regional and cross-sectoral dialogue while amplifying diverse voices;
- build a strong consortium of global and national stakeholders promoting knowledge translation around pharmaceutical policies;
- strengthen research methods and teaching resources;
- support early and mid-career professionals;
- advocate for equitable, resilient pharmaceutical systems in both stable and fragile settings;
- facilitate evidence-informed policymaking to improve access to essential medical products.
Raffaella Ravinetto
Co-Chair
Gautam Satheesh
Co-Chair
Regional Lead, Asia-Pacific
Catherine Goodman
Regional Lead, Europe
Sachiko (Sachi) Ozawa,
Regional Lead, Americas
Communication and Dissemination Coordinator
Zaheer-Ud-Din Babar
Regional Lead, Eastern Mediterranean
Fatima Suleman
Regional Lead, Anglophone Africa
Kampadilemba Ouoba
Regional Lead, Francophone Africa
Events
Check the latest events from Pharmaceutical Policies in Health Systems
Aljadeeah S, Satheesh G, Hafez S, et al. Availability of essential medicines in 14 remaining health facilities in Gaza. The Lancet. 2025.
Kok MO, Fanda RB, Lubbers RU, van Gurp M, Ravinetto R, Probandari A. Assessing the performance of local pharmaceutical systems: An analytical approach to improve access to medicine. The Journal of Medicine Access. 2025;9.
Payedimarri AB, Mouhssine S, Aljadeeah S, Nkubito BM, Gaidano G, Ravinetto R. Assessing patterns of authorship of low- and middle-income countries in global commercial clinical trials in oncology. Global Health. 2025.
Aljadeeah S, Tarrafeta B, Fahed S, Kielmann K, Ravinetto R. Access to essential medicines for noncommunicable diseases during conflicts: The case cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and epilepsy in Northern Syria. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025;5(12): e0004744.
Maria-Belen Tarrafeta-Sayas, Brandon Maser, Ximena García-Quintero, et al. Children’s access to controlled medicines: policy lessons, intervention priorities, and a framework for action. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. 2026.
Raffaella Ravinetto, Emmanuel Bottieau, Daniela Fusco, et al. Inequitable access to medicines for neglected tropical diseases in Europe: health system vulnerabilities and a call for coordinated action. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. 2026;63:101616.
From Policy Ambition to System Reality: Improving Access to NCD Medicines in LMICs
Thursday, 25 September 2026
This webinar explored how health-system factors shaped access to non-communicable disease (NCD) medicines in low- and middle-income and conflict-affected settings. Drawing on evidence from Ghana, Georgia and Northern Syria, speakers examined challenges in translating pharmaceutical policies into practice and shared lessons for strengthening health systems and improving equitable access to essential medicines.
