From innovation to access: Pharmaceutical industry priorities ahead of the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, mental health and neurological diseases, are one of the greatest global health and economic threats we face in our lifetime.

Since 2000, global deaths due to NCDs have increased rapidly, even as deaths due to communicable diseases have declined. The global share of NCD deaths among all deaths rose from 61% to 74% in 2019. In 2021, 18 million of these 43 million NCD-related deaths occurred before the age of 70, with comparable mortality rates  in countries of all income levels. Alarmingly, about 33% of the global population is living with an NCD, up to one in two of us will get cancer, and about one billion people are affected by a mental health condition.

Despite this – and the multitude of commitments made to tackle NCDs by governments across the world – progress is lagging. The WHO reports that no country will achieve its original 2025 NCD targets, and, in 2019, only 19 out of 194 countries and territories were on track to achieve the one-third reduction in NCD premature mortality.

The 4th HLM on NCDs and Mental Health in September 2025 is a timely opportunity to remind the world of its commitments to address this global challenge collectively. The innovative pharmaceutical industry is committed to playing its part, including through collaborations with other stakeholders.

In this report, IFPMA puts forward the innovative pharmaceutical industry’s advocacy priorities, which are centered around four key policy measures.

1. Enable innovation: Foster a healthy innovation ecosystem and improve awareness and uptake of medical innovation to address the global NCD and mental health burden. This should include essential and innovative NCD medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and medical devices, supported by appropriate health service delivery models.
2. Mobilize investment: Commit to invest more efficiently and effectively in strengthening health systems and to have concrete and actionable financing plans for NCDs and mental health so that we can more equitably reach individuals with integrated prevention, treatment, and care.
3. Drive implementation: Deliver effective programs and policies to ensure equitable access to NCD prevention, treatment, and care for all. Strengthen national health systems by integrating early screening, diagnosis, vaccination, comprehensive treatment options, and rehabilitation programs that effectively reach and address the needs of people living with NCDs and mental health conditions.
4. Ensure accountability: Implement measures to ensure accountability and high standards across all relevant sectors of government and key health stakeholders to accurately improve and report on delivery of NCDs and mental health prevention, treatment, and care. This includes a focus on monitoring the impact of vaccination, early screening, diagnosis, and treatment programs.

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