Access to medicines and health products programme: annual report 2020 (2021)

The WHO Regional Office for Europe supports Member States in providing people with sustainable access to essential and affordable high-quality medicines and medical products.

The Access to Medicines and Health Products (‎AMP)‎ programme focuses on health system strengthening, supporting the development, revision and implementation of comprehensive pharmaceutical sector policies covering regulation of medicines and medical devices, pharmacovigilance, selection and responsible use of medicines, expanding the use of health technology assessment, and developing medicine pricing and reimbursement policies.

The programme also has an important convening role, bringing together international experts to promote cross-country/area dialogue and share country/area experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic has focused attention on weaknesses and vulnerabilities in health-care systems. These weaknesses have reinforced the importance of health system strengthening to provide safe, quality, affordable medicines and health-care products.

The 2020 annual report of the Access to Medicines and Health Products (‎AMP)‎ programme highlights some of the work done by the Regional Office in collaboration with agencies and partners.