Earlier this month, WEP Clinical had the incredible opportunity to participate in the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos event, as a proud sponsor of the Partner for Patient conference, HEAL – Health Equity Action Lounge.
As part of this transformative event, I was able to moderate a highly engaging panel discussion, titled “The Race for Compassionate Use.” The panel brought together thought leaders and experts, including individuals from Novartis, the National Health Agency of Morocco, and strategic biotech funding consultants. Together, we explored the pressing challenges and inequities surrounding compassionate use programs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The discussion was both enlightening and solution- oriented, uncovering three key challenges that must be addressed to ensure equitable access to compassionate use programs in these countries:
- Awareness:
A recurring theme in the discussion was the critical need to increase awareness of compassionate use as a regulatory access pathways among patients, physicians, and policymakers. Despite the immense potential of these programs to provide life-saving treatments, far too many key stakeholders remain unaware of their existence. Educating stakeholders at all levels is essential to bridge this gap and unlock the full potential of compassionate use. Awareness does not equate to promotion. The consensus is to advocate for compassionate use as a regulatory access pathway, rather than focusing on individual drug or company programs.
- Resources:
The panelists highlighted the significant resource constraints faced by pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and regulators. While the resource limitations in small companies are understandable, and the administrative burden faced by physicians is acknowledged, the constraints affecting regulators remain a largely unexplored issue. In many low- and middle-income countries, larger systemic challenges strain healthcare systems, leaving limited or no capacity to prioritize compassionate use requests. Addressing these resource limitations in all levels of the process is vital to improving equitable access.
- Regulations:
- Our Call to Action:
The session culminated with a powerful call to action. The panelists urged the global community to support the regulators of the newly established African Medical Agency (AMA). By drawing on the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) successes and lessons learned, and some country example like US and France, the AMA can craft effective and culturally sensitive regulations to enable equitable access to compassionate use programs across Africa. This collaborative effort needs to include the rich cultural diversity of the African continent while fostering a more inclusive and efficient healthcare system.
WEP Clinical is honoured to have been part of this pivotal conversation, reaffirming our commitment to advancing health equity and supporting compassionate use initiatives worldwide. Together, we can create a future where no patient is left behind, regardless of geographical or systemic barriers.
