Timely, equitable and unhindered access to safe, affordable, effective and quality medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics and other health products and technologies is one of the fundamental elements for the full realization of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Yet, an estimated 2 billion people continue to lack access to essential medicines, and stark disparities persist both within and between countries disproportionately impacting individuals at risk of right to health violations.

Barriers to access to medicines, vaccines and other health products are complex and multifaceted. This side event discusses findings from OHCHR’s 2025 report on access to medicines, vaccines, and other health products (A/HRC/59/29), which provides a contemporary human rights analysis of the subject matter, as well as actionable recommendations supporting States to implement a rights-based approach to enhancing access. Join us to:

• Deepen understanding of key human rights challenges affecting equitable access to health products, drawn from OHCHR expert consultations,
• Explore promising practices, innovations, and concrete opportunities for technical assistance on the human rights dimension of access to medicines and vaccines, and
• Foster dialogue across Member States, civil society, UN partners, and other stakeholders on rights-based approaches to innovation, regulation, and distribution.

Documents and materials

• Concept note (PDF)
• Flyer (PDF)
• Panellists Interventions (PDF)
• Digital brief