Advancing Access: Global priorities to improve access to NCD medicines, diagnostics and medical devices

This brief outlines the NCD access community's priorities for improving access to medicines and medical devices in the context of the 2026 3rd International Dialogue on Sustainable Financing for NCDs and Mental Health and the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

In most low- and middle-income countries, access to essential medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and other medical devices for noncommunicable disease treatment and care remains inadequate, increasing health inequities globally. This is amplified for certain marginalised groups, including the economically disadvantaged, rural populations, and ethnic minorities, as well as those impacted by humanitarian emergencies, who often face limited access to medicines, diagnostics, and medical devices due to their unavailability and/or unaffordability.

Improving access to medicines and medical devices is integral to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), promoting health equity, improving health outcomes, and reducing the global NCD burden.