Policy Briefs

Resources Policy Briefs

Advancing Access: Global priorities to improve access to NCD medicines, diagnostics and medical devices
Closing the gap in access to NCD treatment
Access to essential medicines, diagnostics, and medical devices for noncommunicable diseases remains inconsistent across much of the world and the shortfall is not evenly distributed. Low- and middle-income countries face the steepest gaps, and within them, certain groups are consistently underserved: people facing economic hardship, rural communities, ethnic minorities, and populations affected by humanitarian crises. The barriers are twofold, products that simply are not available, and products that are available but unaffordable.
This is not a peripheral issue for global health. Expanding access to NCD medicines and devices is a prerequisite for Universal Health Coverage, a driver of health equity, and one of the most direct levers for reducing the global NCD burden.
This brief, developed in collaboration with NCD Alliance, sets out the community's priorities for addressing these gaps, published ahead of two decisive moments: the 2026 International Dialogue on Sustainable Financing for NCDs and Mental Health, and the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage.
Authors: NCD Policy Lab, University of Geneva, NCD Alliance
Jul 29, 2026
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Access to insulin no longer just an issue for low-and middle-income countries: Should Switzerland be worried?
More than 100,000 people in Switzerland depend on insulin every day, yet global market shifts and supply vulnerabilities are reshaping the security of this life-saving medicine. What was once framed as a challenge for low- and middle-income countries is increasingly a strategic concern for Switzerland.
This policy brief examines why access to insulin demands renewed attention at national and global levels. It outlines the scale of diabetes in Switzerland, analyses the highly concentrated global insulin market dominated by three multinational companies, and explores emerging risks linked to product withdrawals, price disparities compared with other European countries, and shifts in production toward more profitable medicines such as GLP-1 agonists. The brief highlights how these trends could fundamentally alter the insulin market, particularly for people with type 1 diabetes who rely on insulin for survival and sets out concrete avenues for Swiss action.
From strengthening security of supply and supporting biosimilar competition to leveraging Swissmedic’s regulatory expertise and Switzerland’s global health leadership, the document argues for proactive engagement to safeguard affordable, quality-assured insulin both domestically and worldwide.
Feb 18, 2026
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A study of depression in patients with type 2 diabetes at the primary health care level in Kyrgyzstan
Living with type 2 diabetes affects more than physical health, yet depression often remains overlooked in routine care.
Developed by Health Policy Analysis, this policy brief examines depressive symptoms among people receiving diabetes care at the primary healthcare level in Kyrgyzstan and explores how mental health can influence treatment adherence, self-management and quality of life. It calls for depression screening, appropriate referral pathways and stronger integration of psychological support into diabetes care.
Author: Health Policy Analysis
Dec 1, 2025
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Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices toward Diabetic Kidney Disease among Type 2 Diabetes patients in Southern Kyrgyzstan
Kidney damage can develop silently in people living with type 2 diabetes, making awareness and prevention essential.
Developed by Health Policy Analysis, this policy brief explores what patients in southern Kyrgyzstan know, believe and do to protect their kidney health. It reveals important misconceptions and a significant gap between patients’ trust in healthcare professionals and the information they actually receive, highlighting the need for structured counselling, clearer prevention messages and stronger support for early detection and self-management.
Author: Health Policy Analysis
Nov 1, 2025
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Diabetes self-management and Social media: Experiences of children and young people in Kyrgyzstan
Managing diabetes does not stop at the clinic door, especially for children and young people navigating the condition every day.
Developed by Health Policy Analysis, this policy brief explores how children and young people living with diabetes in Kyrgyzstan use social media to access information, connect with peers and support their daily self-management. It highlights both the opportunities and challenges of these digital platforms and proposes ways to promote safer, more reliable and age-appropriate online support.
Author: Health Policy Analysis
Jul 31, 2025
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Results of the Multisectoral Roundtable for Access to Medicines and Supplies for Diabetes
What happens when key actors across the health system come together to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in diabetes care?
Early 2025, CRONICAS convened a full-day multisectoral roundtable bringing together 25 representatives from 15 institutions, including the Ministry of Health, regional health authorities, integrated health networks, civil society, academia, and international partners.
The objective was clear: to identify systemic barriers to access and co-develop practical, sustainable solutions to improve access to medicines and health technologies for diabetes in Peru
Building on high-level presentations on regulatory frameworks and supply systems, participants engaged in structured discussions across three thematic areas:
• regulation and registration,

• procurement and supply, and

• access to diabetes technologies
Using a deliberative dialogue methodology, stakeholders jointly analysed root causes and mapped actionable pathways forward.
The discussions highlighted critical challenges, including limited trust in biosimilar insulins, inefficiencies in procurement and supply chains leading to stock-outs and overstocking, and inequitable access to essential diabetes technologies such as glucometers and test strips. These systemic issues were linked to fragmented information systems, regulatory gaps, and insufficient coordination across levels of the health system.
Importantly, the roundtable went beyond problem identification. Participants developed problem trees, solution pathways, and concrete recommendations, ranging from strengthening regulatory alignment and pharmacovigilance, to modernizing procurement systems and ensuring sustainable financing for diabetes care. The overarching conclusion was that improving access requires coordinated, system-wide reforms rather than isolated interventions.
This policy brief provides a concise synthesis of these discussions, offering evidence-informed insights and actionable recommendations for policymakers, practitioners, and partners working to strengthen diabetes care systems
Organiser: CRONICAS
May 31, 2025
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Biosimilar insulin and insulin prices: What does this mean for Kyrgyzstan
For people living with diabetes, affordable and reliable access to insulin is essential.
Developed by Health Policy Analysis, this policy brief examines the growing role of biosimilar insulins and compares their government procurement prices with those of originator products in Kyrgyzstan. Focusing on insulin Aspart and Glargine, it explores how carefully expanding the use of lower-cost biosimilars could increase competition, make better use of public resources and support more sustainable access to life-saving treatment.
Author: Health Policy Analysis
Mar 1, 2025
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PHC services for diabetes in the Kyrgyz Republic: coverage with the State Guaranteed Benefits Package (SGBP)
Although diabetes services are formally covered under Kyrgyzstan’s State Guaranteed Benefits Package, access remains uneven, particularly for people living in remote areas.
Developed by Health Policy Analysis, this policy brief examines how Kyrgyzstan’s State Guaranteed Benefit Programme supports access to diabetes care, including health services, insulin and essential supplies. It identifies remaining implementation gaps and proposes measures to strengthen equitable, reliable and sustainable care for people living with diabetes.
Author: Health Policy Analysis
Jan 1, 2025
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Access to essential medicines, diagnostics and medical devices for NCDs: PRIORITIES FOR THE 4TH UN HIGH LEVEL MEETING ON NCDs
Access to essential medicines, diagnostics, and medical devices for Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is a critical global health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In the lead-up to the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, this policy brief, developed in collaboration between the NCD Policy Lab, NCD Alliance, and key NGOs, calls on Member States to commit to strengthening health systems by advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This means fully integrating essential NCD medicines, diagnostics, and medical devices into UHC, with a strong emphasis on the public health sector, particularly primary care, and ensuring effective referral pathways to specialized care when necessary.
The brief outlines five key recommendations to support WHO Member States in making meaningful progress towards this goal, accelerating action on their existing commitments, and ultimately improving access to NCD treatments and technologies worldwide.
Authors: NCD Policy Lab, University of Geneva, NCD Alliance
Dec 1, 2024
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Evaluation of knowledge about diabetes among different population groups in the Kyrgyz Republic
Turning promising research ideas into evidence requires more than academic knowledge, it also requires practical support, mentorship and opportunities to lead.
Developed by Health Policy Analysis, this policy brief examines a microgrant initiative implemented with the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy to strengthen the research skills of students and young professionals. It shares lessons from the initiative and shows how small-scale funding can foster a stronger research culture and generate locally relevant evidence to inform health policy in Kyrgyzstan.
Author: Health Policy Analysis
Dec 1, 2024
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Leveraging Health Accounts Tool to Improve Health Spending for NonCommunicable Diseases

Understanding how health resources are raised, managed and spent is essential to improving care for noncommunicable diseases.

Developed by Health Policy Analysis, this policy brief explores how Health Accounts can be used to track financial flows and assess spending on NCDs in Kyrgyzstan. It highlights the value of reliable expenditure data for identifying funding gaps, improving resource allocation and supporting more transparent, equitable and evidence-informed health financing decisions.

Author: Health Policy Analysis

Nov 1, 2024

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