One of the principle determinants of access to essential medicines is price. Countries in the Region of the Americas face important challenges in medicines pricing including: lack of information and transparency in pricing; inappropriate price referencing in public procurement; weak regulatory frameworks (procurement, financing, intellectual property) that impact medicine price; fragmented strategies promoting generic medicine penetration in markets; and differential pricing policies that are not necessarily equity based.

PAHO's area of Medicines and Health Technologies (HSS/MT) is working actively in promoting innovation for the health in the Region. The improvement of the access to essential medicines, biological and diagnostics is one of PAHO’s critical functions. To better achieve this goal, HSS/MT is developing a Regional Platform for Access and Innovation for the Health.