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.
Malawi's first batch of 360,000 COVID-19 Vaccines under the COVAX Initiative, Lilongwe. © UNICEF/UN0426487/COVAX/Edward Kabuye
From first steps to growing impact
We announced our first agreement, with Hologic, in July 2018.
Since then, we have provided eight further guarantees to increase 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 375 million people in over 90 countries.
BII remains MedAccess’ sole shareholder.
Two scientists using the Hologic Panther machine. © Hologic, 2020
MedAccess timeline
Expand all2022
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.
July
Launch of volume guarantee to catalyse access to Wondfo’s HIV self-test, in partnership with CHAI.
September
Launch of volume guarantee to catalyse access to SD Biosensor’s G6PD testing devices and strips, in partnership with PATH.
October
Professor Helen Rees OBE appointed Board Chair.
2021
March
UNICEF procurement guarantee for essential COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 products extended by one year.
July
Launch of volume guarantee to catalyse access to Macleods’ 3HP latent tuberculosis treatment, in partnership with CHAI and Unitaid.
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.
November
Launch of volume guarantee to catalyse access to SD Biosensor’s HIV and syphilis dual test, in partnership with CHAI.
2020
July
Launch of procurement guarantee for UNICEF to accelerate procurement of essential COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 supplies.
2019
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.
November
BII pays in further $100 million capital, taking MedAccess’ capitalisation to $200 million.
2018
January
Nigel Keen appointed Board Chair. First $100 million of paid-in capital issued by BII.
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).
2017
September
$200m capital authorised by British International Investment (BII) in preparation for MedAccess’ incorporation.
November
MedAccess formally incorporated. Michael Anderson begins work as CEO.
