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From 9-11 June, Dr. Katrina Perehudoff, a member of the Lancet Commission on Essential Medicines, joined fellow Commissioners in Brussels to discuss how progress towards equitable access to essential medicines can be accelerated worldwide through legal tools.

Throughout the meeting, Commission members reviewed the latest evidence and discussed key recommendations that will inform the Commission’s final report. Scheduled for publication in 2027 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the report will provide recommendations to help policy makers and advisors, pharmaceutical policy researchers, and global health stakeholders improve access to essential medicines, particularly for underserved and marginalised populations. 

During this meeting, Katrina presented the work she is leading on human rights law and public health law for essential medicines.  

Essential medicines are vital for health system functioning and the realisation of the right to health, yet they are unavailable or unaffordable for so many people. One of the Commission’s innovative approaches is looking at how human rights and public health law can be used to improve equitable access to medicines. Katrina

The meeting of Commissioners was concluded on June 11, 2026 with a public seminar “Bridging Evidence and Action for Global Health Equity” between the African Union-European Union Health Partnership and the Commission. The seminar brought together Lancet Commissioners, policymakers, researchers, civil society representatives, and global health partners to exchange ideas on strengthening access to essential medicines and advancing health equity.