History
We were formed in 2017 to accelerate access to healthcare by tackling market inefficiencies.
By the end of 2023, our agreements had helped more than 539 million people in over 110 countries access medical innovations.
A new way to tackle access challenges
MedAccess was born out of the recognition by global health partners including the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the former UK Department for International Development (DFID) that unpredictable healthcare markets are a major barrier to access in many countries.
DFID commissioned CDC Group, now British International Investment (BII), to develop an idea for an organisation focused on shaping healthcare markets in low- and middle-income countries. CDC’s investment experts developed the Credit Facility for Access to Medicine – later renamed MedAccess.
The company was established in November 2017 with the clear aim to blend private sector knowhow with public health expertise, using $200 million paid-in capital to negotiate agreements that reduced the price and increased availability of medical innovations.
We are independent and not for profit, with any operating surplus is invested into developing new agreements to speed up access to healthcare.
From first steps to growing impact
We announced our first agreement, with Hologic, in July 2018.
Since then, our agreements have been increasing access to medical innovations that tackle HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, COVID-19 and syphilis.
To date, our guarantees have helped accelerate access to health products for more than 539 million people in over 110 countries.
BII remains MedAccess’ sole shareholder.
MedAccess timeline
Expand all2024
September
MedAccess signs up to a G7 development finance institutions (DFIs) initiative to provide surge financing for medical countermeasures during future pandemics.
April
UK government commits
£7.4 million to enable MedAccess to negotiate lower prices for vital malaria drugs and diagnostic tests for people in countries affected by the disease.
March
Launch of procurement guarantee for UNICEF’s Vaccine Independence Initiative, which supports low- and middle-income countries purchasing essential medical supplies with domestic budgets.
2023
October
Antony Ross OBE appointed Chair of the Investment Committee and Board Member.
September
MedAccess becomes a founding member of the Impact Investing Initiative for Global Health.
June
MedAccess announces reaching over half a billion people with accelerated access to health products.
2022
October
Professor Helen Rees OBE appointed Board Chair.
September
Launch of volume guarantee to catalyse access to SD Biosensor’s G6PD testing devices and strips, in partnership with PATH.
July
Launch of volume guarantee to catalyse access to Wondfo’s HIV self-test, in partnership with CHAI.
June
Launch of procurement guarantee with the Open Society Foundations to help meet country demand for COVID-19 vaccines via COVAX’s cost-sharing mechanism.
2021
November
Launch of volume guarantee to catalyse access to SD Biosensor’s HIV and syphilis dual test, in partnership with CHAI.
August
Launch of innovative financing agreement with Gavi and GSK to support continued production of RTS,S malaria vaccine antigen ahead of key policy and funding decisions. MedAccess comes off risk in December when positive policy and funding decisions are announced.
July
Launch of volume guarantee to catalyse access to Macleods’ 3HP latent tuberculosis treatment, in partnership with CHAI and Unitaid.
March
UNICEF procurement guarantee for essential COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 products extended by one year.
2020
July
Launch of procurement guarantee for UNICEF to accelerate procurement of essential COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 supplies.
2019
November
BII pays in further $100 million capital, taking MedAccess’ capitalisation to $200 million.
October
Launch of volume guarantee for BASF’s Interceptor® G2 mosquito nets announced at Global Fund replenishment event, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
2018
July
Launch of volume guarantee for Hologic’s Panther® viral load testing platform announced at AIDS 2018 conference, in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
January
Nigel Keen appointed Board Chair. First $100 million of paid-in capital issued by BII.
2017
November
MedAccess formally incorporated. Michael Anderson begins work as CEO.
September
$200m capital authorised by British International Investment (BII) in preparation for MedAccess’ incorporation.
