SHIONOGI Group Global Health Access Policy Statement
SHIONOGI Groups’ (hereinafter called “SHIONOGI”) mission is to constantly strive to provide the best possible medicines to protect the health and well-being of people worldwide. Access to medicines is a significant challenge for much of the world and SHIONOGI respects the right of all people to receive appropriate healthcare services and addresses that very seriously. As a Japan-based company, SHIONOGI believes that effective partnerships with global organizations are essential to expanding reach and improving access.
SHIONOGI’s effort to improve access are focused in four following areas:
1. Developing innovative therapies to address unmet needs
SHIONOGI’s primary contribution to improving global health is through the creation of innovative medicines that deliver significant advances compared to the current standard of care. The core therapeutic areas for SHIONOGI are infectious diseases and QOL diseases with high social impact*; obtaining adequate treatment for both can be challenging, even in developed markets.
QOL: Quality of Life
*Please refer to the page 17 in SHIONOGI Transformation Strategy 2030 (STS2030) Revision for the details.
2. Promoting proper use of medicines
Improving disease awareness, rates of diagnosis and encouraging appropriate use of medicines through health education is an important element of SHIONOGI’s access efforts. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance is a key concern for SHIONOGI and SHIONOGI is involved in global efforts to educate healthcare providers on stewardship of antibiotics.
3. Improving affordability for patients in need
In developing countries, access to innovative medicines is often hindered due to affordability. SHIONOGI considers the value and affordability of medicines carefully and tailors the access strategy for each product to the dynamics of the country and healthcare system. SHIONOGI utilizes tools like patient assistant programs, product donations, and patent pools, where appropriate, to improve affordability and intentionally does not file patents for its medications in many developing countries*. In addition, SHIONOGI has strengthened our efforts to address access issues for our infectious disease drugs. For HIV, AMR and COVID-19 products arising from our research, SHIONOGI has formed and supported partnerships with international organizations with extensive experience in expanding LMIC access to infectious disease products, along with guidance for their proper use.
*Please refer SHIONOGI Group Intellectual Property Policy for the details.
4. Strengthening healthcare systems
Improving healthcare systems and infrastructure are critical to improving the well-being of the patients SHIONOGI aim to serve. Healthcare challenges are complex, and we recognize the need to address them through collaborations and partnerships, including targeted partnerships with on-the-ground organizations.
(Established on 19 March 2018)
(Revised on 1 January 2022)
(Revised on 30 September 2024)
Please refer to Access to healthcare page for Shionogi's initiatives.