Session Overview

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has emerged as a key global strategy for advancing healthcare equity. However, achieving UHC requires more than expanding healthcare services; it demands a coordinated, sustainable approach that ensures equitable access to safe, effective, high-quality and affordable medicines for all.

To achieve this goal, every component of the pharmaceutical value chain, from research and development through to pricing, reimbursement, procurement, distribution and patient access, must operate effectively. Pharmacists and pharmacies play a critical role in translating policy into practice by ensuring the availability, accessibility and appropriate use of essential medicines within communities.

This session will explore practical approaches to implementing UHC in South Africa, the role of pharmacies in promoting equitable access to essential medicines, and the influence pricing and reimbursement policies on access across the pharmaceutical value chain. Delegates will gain insights into the opportunities, challenges and collaborative actions required to advance equitable, sustainable and patient-centred healthcare under UHC.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify opportunities and challenges for pharmacists across the community, hospital, wholesale, manufacturing and academic sectors in supporting UHC implementation.
• Evaluate the policy, regulatory, workforce and supply chain considerations required to achieve sustainable access to medicines under UHC.
• Examine the role of the pharmaceutical value chain in ensuring equitable, sustainable and timely access to essential medicines.

Key Takeaways for Delegates

• Collaboration among government, healthcare professionals, academia, industry, wholesalers, regulators and patient groups is necessary to achieve UHC goals.
• Sustainable pricing, reimbursement and procurement mechanisms are critical to balancing affordability, innovation and the long-term availability of medicines.
• Access to essential medicines is a cornerstone of Universal Health Coverage and a prerequisite for health equity.
• Reliable supply chains, efficient regulatory systems and robust medicine information systems are essential to ensuring continuity of care.
• Successful UHC implementation depends on a robust and sustainable pharmaceutical value chain, from research and development to patient access.

“Universal Health Coverage is ultimately about people. It is about ensuring that everyone has access to the healthcare services and medicines they need, when they need them, without financial hardship. Achieving this vision requires strong partnerships across the entire pharmaceutical value chain, with pharmacists playing a central role in ensuring that no patient is left behind.”