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.