Conferences

Access to medicines: A global challenge

With the aim of raising awareness of a wider audience, the conference-debate “Access to medicines: A global challenge” will introduce the book “Combien coûtent nos vies?” to open a panorama on access to medicines, illustrating the theme with different vignettes and speakers, followed by a wider debate on the issue of access, inviting participation from the public. Access to essential medicines - a fundamental element of the right to health - remains an issue due to price, availability and affordability. Why is this a global challenge? What is the situation in Switzerland? What are the solutions? At this conference, Prof. Antoine Flahault, Director of the Institute of Global Health at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, opens the event. Followed by a presentation of the book by the authors Pauline Londeix and Jérôme Martin, co-founders of the Observatoire de la transparence dans les politiques du médicaments (OTMeds), who open the panorama on the issue of access followed by three presentations on different access issues worldwide.

The issue of price may seem invisible in a country like France or Switzerland, where there are strong social protections, but in fact it is also problematic, and the question of shortages is becoming increasingly pressing.

Jérôme Martin
Co-founder of the Observatory for Transparency in Drug Policy (OTMeds)

People living with cancer should not have to bear the burden of drug shortages.

Dr. Alfredo Addeo
Oncology Department, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG)

View the recorded conference (in French)

Speakers: Antoine Flahault, Pauline Londeix, Jérôme Martin, François Chappuis, David Beran, Alfredo Addeo

L’insuline : 100 ans d’existence, toujours pas universel

The “Alumni Tuesday”, organised by Alumni UNIGE, event held on 14 October 2025 welcomed Prof. David Beran, assistant professor in the Division of Tropical & Humanitarian Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine UNIGE/HUG and Project team lead of the NCD Policy Lab.

During the event, Prof. Beran shared his reflections on the global challenges surrounding access to insulin more than 100 years after its discovery, and engaged in a rich discussion with the audience on this critical issue.

View the recorded conference (in French)

Speaker: David Beran

Type 1 Diabetes – Advancing a Global Road Map for Improved and Integrated Care in Low-Resource Settings

On 4-6 February 2025, 150 delegates from 50 different countries convened in Copenhagen Denmark to take part in an international meeting on type 1 diabetes. The meeting was cohosted by World Diabetes Foundation, East Africa Diabetes Study Group, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, and Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy.

Watch the video recordings

The meeting convened a diverse group of stakeholders from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including ministries of health, civil society organisations, academic institutions, and people with lived experience of T1D. Through the summary report, discover the knowledge, insights, and collaborative spirit that shaped this landmark event.

KEY INSIGHTS

Understanding the epidemiology of type 1 diabetes
Participants reviewed the current evidence, identified data gaps, and examined ongoing global efforts to map the burden of T1D, particularly in LMICs.
Improving diagnosis and treatment
Discussions highlighted clinical outcomes, health system assessments, and real‑world experiences, with a focus on sustainable, equitable, and accessible care models.
Strengthening global and country partnerships
Stakeholders identified opportunities for greater alignment, investment, and collaboration to scale up T1D care in diverse contexts.
The draft 2025 Copenhagen Call to Action on Type 1 Diabetes.

Read the summary report

GLOBAL HEALTH PODCAST - DDEA

The Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy Global Health Podcast: "Type 1 Diabetes – Challenges and Actions" explores the realities of type 1 diabetes care in low- and middle-income countries, featuring voices driving change through research, policy, and lived experience.

Producer and publisher: Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy
Audio production: Mediehuset Periskop
Host: Gretchen Repasky

This podcast was produced in connection with the international meeting Type 1 Diabetes, Advancing a Global Roadmap for Improved and Integrated Care in Low-Resource Settings, held in February 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark. This meeting was organised and hosted by the World Diabetes Foundation, Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy, the Faculty of Medicine - UNIGE at the University of Geneva, and the East African Diabetes Study Group.

Listen now

Organisers: World Diabetes Foundation, University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy, East African Diabetes Study Group