GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) launched its Access to Medicine ATM program in Yemen becoming the first international company to give affordable for Yemeni patients.

The launch came in a press conference held on Monday in the Yemeni capital Sana’a with the presence of high government officials, agents, doctors, and health experts.

Omar Mulhi, GSK Country Manager started the conference by announcing GSK’s latest health program in Yemen and how the company plans to give back to society. “We want to support the health care and that is why GSK will give 20 percent of its profits to the Yemeni market infrastructure,” said Omar Mulhi, Country Manager for GSK Yemen.

The program comes to help patient’s in developing countries receive the highest quality medicine

“With the Access to Medicine Program, Yemeni patients will now be able to get the original high standard medicine for very reasonable prices,” he added.

“GSK wants to be part of the solution and that is why we willingly launching this program,” said Ali Al-Ahdal, a representative at GSK Yemen.

Over the years, GSK has been involved numerous programs in supporting local and international NGO’s operating in Yemen.

“75,000 Yemeni children have received the support of the GSK program in Yemen through our Yemeni and International NGO partners and we intend to do even more,” said Mr Al-Ahdal

GSK-Yemen vision

GSK aims to be the number one company in Yemen in giving a high focus on the patient wherever he/ she is and irrespective to his/her level of income. GSK is very keen on patient’s health and is working to improve his/ her affordability for the good medicine and ease of reaching it.

GSK works as a ‘’Health Care Partner’’ to leverage the health care practice in Yemen by supporting Yemen health infrastructure in coordination and collaboration with government and NGOs (Non- Governmental Organizations).

Addressing the healthcare challenges in developing countries and Yemen and improving access to our vaccines and medicines around the world is vitally important to GSK.

One of the GSK goals is setting prices at levels that reflect the value delivered and ability for people to pay. We aim to help building a sustainable health impact in the world’s least developed countries. Affordability of vaccines is just one of many barriers to accessing healthcare in these countries. The vast majority of healthcare spend is out of pocket (i.e. not government funded) and people’s ability to pay for vaccines varies significantly.

In addition, poor healthcare infrastructure means that many people do not have access to hospitals or clinics in which to receive treatment, or healthcare professionals to care for them.

Response in these countries must therefore balance our commercial objectives with our global commitment to work with governments and other stakeholders to support efforts to deliver our vaccines and medicines to as many people who need them.

20% reinvestment In Yemen:

In Yemen, GSK is committed to reinvest 20% of profits back into the healthcare infrastructure of that country. The shared objective of the 20% re-investment will be unit was established in July 2010 to increase patient access to GSK medicines and vaccines in developing countries.

One of our units is tasked with bringing a dedicated GSK focus to expand access to medicines for around 800 million people in the world’s least-developed countries (LDCs). It includes the world’s 49 poorest nations as defined by the UN, over half of whom survive on less than US$1 a day.

We aim to increase the availability of GSK medicines by broadening its portfolio to make it more relevant to people in these countries, pricing it to increase access and unlock demand, contributing to education and awareness, and expanding its distribution and supply chain capability.

Wherever possible GSK works in partnership with other companies, governments, international agencies and academic institutions, patient groups, NGOs and communities providing expertise, resources, medicines and vaccines to improve access to healthcare

Access Pricing Strategy:

Price is one of the main barriers that hinder many people to access to a lot of medicines and vaccines; GSK initiated this pricing strategy to make its products available to many patients around the world including Yemen.

They are committed to work in partnership with NGOs and Governments to help improve healthcare in the developing countries to improve health outcomes by supporting frontline health workers who operate in these countries. GSK has formed a partnership with Save the Children in Yemen to deliver the 20%.

GSK Activities with Save the Children (Amran- 2012-2013)

GSK formed a partnership with Save the Children in Yemen to deliver the 20% reinvestments to increase access to and improve the quality of healthcare within vulnerable communities of Amran and Lahj through training and capacity building of Health and Nutrition Workforce. Eight districts have been identified- in Lahj (Al-Hota, Toban, Al-Madarba, and Al-Mokhatra), and in Amran (Al-Madan, Bani Suraim, Bani Yazeed and Al-Asha) -to implement a multi-faceted response, creating a network of trained volunteers and salaried care providers that will bring quality health services and understanding into the remote and vulnerable communities living here. This project is an ongoing process since 2011 up to date.

GSK Donation in Yemen:

As a part of the healthcare support, GSK commitment is to donate Albendazole (Zentel) to treat what is called Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) in school aged children in endemic countries including Yemen.

The donation is through WHO and the quantity exceeds14 million doses in 2012 and 2013.

Brief points to understand more on GSK:

-Access to Medicine (ATM): By definition, is making medicines more accessible and affordable to many people around the World.

-Access to Medicines (ATM) Index is an index to measure the performance of the top

-20 pharmaceutical companies on their efforts to improve access to medicines and healthcare in developing countries.

-GSK has been ranked top of the Index in 2012 for the third time of publishing, scoring highest in four categories including general access to medicine management, research and development activity, capability advancement and drug donation and philanthropy.

-GlaxoSmithKline is the first multinational company that implements ATM in Yemen.

-As a part of the healthcare support, GSK commitment is to donate Albendazole (Zentel) to treat what is called Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) in school aged children in endemic countries including Yemen. The donation is through WHO and the quantity exceeds 14 million dose in 2012 and 2013.