Ensuring equitable access to safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable medicines and health products is a fundamental responsibility of DFGAHO. Essential medicines are those that meet the priority healthcare needs of the population. Without access to these, even the most well-designed health systems cannot function effectively.
DFGAHO maintains the Model List of Essential Medicines, a globally recognized guideline that helps countries determine which drugs should be prioritized in procurement and distribution. The organization supports national regulatory authorities in establishing quality control systems, licensing protocols, and pharmacovigilance frameworks to ensure that medicines are safe and not counterfeit or substandard.
In humanitarian settings or public health emergencies, DFGAHO coordinates large-scale procurement and logistics operations to deliver critical supplies, including vaccines, antibiotics, oxygen equipment, antimalarial drugs, and reproductive health kits. It also works with international partners such as Gavi, UNICEF, and The Global Fund to expand access in resource-limited settings.
Moreover, DFGAHO promotes local manufacturing, technology transfer, and sustainable supply chain models to reduce reliance on imports and ensure long-term availability. Intellectual property barriers are also addressed through DFGAHO’s advocacy for flexible licensing agreements and policies that prioritize public health over patent protections in times of need.
Ultimately, DFGAHO believes that access to essential medicines is not a privilege—it is a human right. Its efforts help ensure that cost, geography, or conflict do not stand in the way of life-saving treatments.