Conversations for Change: Shaping the Future of Essential Medicines (Hybrid Symposium)

About this event

The 1977 Model List of Essential Medicines and the subsequent Action Programme on Essential Medicines of the World Health Organization (WHO) are widely regarded as among the most influential public health achievements of the late 20th century. The essential medicines concept, grounded in equity and efficiency, has since been adopted in more than 150 countries. More recently, the European Union has introduced the concept of critical medicines, with the goal of diversifying pharmaceutical manufacturing and preventing stock-outs of key products.

Today, instability, migration, climate change, pandemics, artificial intelligence, decreasing financial investment in health, and the rapid transformation of multilateral institutions among other challenges require critical reflection on the future of the essential medicines framework. The Lancet Commission, launched in 2025, aims to provide such reflection, with its final report planned for publication in 2027.

Ensuring global access to essential medicines continues to be central to advancing universal health coverage. The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) is a global leader in evidence generation, education, and health services in tropical medicine and global health, strongly committed to health equity, particularly in low‑ and middle‑income countries and in vulnerable populations. Pharmaceutical public health, formally established as a research unit within the Department of Public Health, is an increasingly important focus area within ITM.

Goal

1. Discuss gaps in current knowledge in essential medicines

2. Identify opportunities to strengthen the Commission's and ITM evidence generation and advocacy in essential medicines

3. Formulate recommendations to advance research and advocacy in the field of pharmaceutical public health

For whom?

Experts, students in pharmaceutical public health, academic institutions across Belgium and Europe, research funders, policy makers, and members of the Lancet Commission who are interested in ensuring global access to essential medicines.