Conversations for Change: Shaping the Future of Essential Medicines (Hybrid Symposium)
ITM, Aula Janssens & Zoom
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 prevent stock-outs of key-products.
Today, instability, migration, climate change, pandemics, artificial intelligence, decreasing financial investment in health and the rapid transformation of multi-lateral 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.
This symposium will bring together experts from ITM, students in pharmaceutical public health, academic institutions across Belgium and Europe, research funders, policy makers, and members of the Lancet Commission. The event aims to:
discuss gaps in current knowledge in essential medicines;
identify opportunities to strengthen the Commission’s and ITM evidence generation and advocacy in essential medicines;
formulate recommendations to advance research and advocacy in the field of pharmaceutical public health.
Practical information
Date: 12 June 2026
Time: 10:00-14:00 CEST
Format: Hybrid (in person and online)
Zoom link: Will be made available on this page
Price: Free
Registration: Mandatory, register below
Location:
Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp (Aula Janssens)
Sint-Rochusstraat 43
2000 Antwerp - Belgium
Programme
09:30-10:00 | Arrivals
10:00-10:15 | Welcome
Ozge Tunçalp, Executive Director, Institute of Tropical Medicine
Raffaella Ravinetto, Head of Public Health Department & Professor of Pharmaceutical Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine
10:15-10:45 | Opening Remarks from The Lancet Commission
Veronika Wirtz, Boston University
Hans Hogerzeil, University of Groningen
10:45-11:20 | Short Talks from the ITM community: Some Key Challenges in Public Pharmaceuticals
Barriers to compassionate use of medicines for MDR and XDR TB - Anita Mesic
Access to adequate medicines for children: persisting neglect and gaps - Jacquie Oliwa
Old and new access challenges around medicines for HIV PrEP - Thijs Reyniers
Access to medicines for neglected tropical diseases during the pre-elimination phase: the case of leishmaniasis – Johan Van Griensven
Controlled medicines: the access gap between the Global North and South - Belen Tarrafeta
11:20-11:45 | Coffee Break
11:45-13:00 | Panel Discussion and Q&A Session: Priorities for Evidence Generation on Essential and Critical medicines
Panelists
Research funder representative (EDCTP)
Policy maker (TBD)
A representative of the ITM Pharmaceutical Public Health course (TBD)
Andy Gray (Lancet Commission)
Moderators
Raffaella Ravinetto (ITM)
Saleh Aljadeeah (ITM and Lancet Commission)
13:00-14:00 Closing Remarks & Network Lunch
Ozge Tunçalp, Executive Director, Institute of Tropical Medicine
Hans Hogerzeil, Lancet Commission
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