Public participation in access to medicines

Abstract

Global pharmaceutical policy encompasses various aspects, including access to medication. Access has been referred to as being deeply influenced by pricing, financing, reliable systems and rational selection, aspects detailed in other chapters of this book. In all of these areas however, the role of public participation is essential, which we detail in the current chapter, by providing the general context, discussing their role in research, in regulatory agencies and in health technology assessment. We finalize by providing specific examples of public participation, using case studies from HIV, cancer and rare diseases, all of which support the essential role of citizens in modelling access to medication.