On February 4th, GBCHealth, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the Business Council for the United Nations (BCUN), co-hosted a briefing session for companies to learn more about the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines (HLP).

The HLP was convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in December 2015 to explore ways to better balance the rights of inventors, international human rights law, trade rules and public health with the need for innovation of and access to health technologies. In consultation with its Expert Advisory Group, the HLP has a mandate to present findings and recommendations to the UN Secretary-General by June 2016. The briefing was an opportunity for the HLP to issue a call to the private sector to contribute ideas and experiences on how to address the challenges of promoting innovation while ensuring access. Attendees learned about the anticipated timeline and opportunities for participation.

Members of the HLP, the Honorable Michael Kirby–Chairperson of the HLP Expert Advisory Group–and Sir Andrew Witty, addressed an audience of more than 20 business and industry representatives. The speakers solicited contributions from all industries, but particularly encouraged health and wellness companies to play an active role.

If your company is interested in submitting a contribution for consideration by the HLP or to learn more information, please visit http://www.unsgaccessmeds.org/call-for-contributions/ by February 28th.

Shortlisted submissions will be made public on the HLP’s website and contributors will be invited to subsequent HLP’s meetings for more in depth consultations.