Georgetown University

• Paul Antony, M.D., chief medical officer and executive director, PhRMA
• John J. DeGioia, president, Georgetown University
• Lawrence Gostin, associate dean and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of Global Health Law, Georgetown University Law Center
• Aidan Hollis, associate professor, department of economics, University of Calgary and director, Incentives for Global Health
• Ruth Levine, senior fellow & director of programs, Center for Global Development
• John Osborn, member, United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy
• Thomas Pogge, Leitner Professor of Philosophy and International Affairs, Yale University
  founder, Incentives for Global Health
  

At a symposium titled "Making New Medicines Accessible for All," Georgetown University will host the U.S. launch of the Health Impact Fund (HIF) with HIF architects Thomas Pogge and Aidan Hollis. The presentation will be followed by a discussion with prominent members of the academic, corporate and governmental sectors, moderated by Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia.

Pharmaceuticals hold the promise of saving many lives around the world. However, the cost of research and development of new medicines is often prohibitive. To provide wide access to the most effective pharmaceuticals, prices need to be low enough for people to afford—but low prices do not create strong incentives for innovators to invest in research and development. The HIF is a new way of stimulating research and development of life-saving pharmaceuticals. The proposed Fund is an optional mechanism that offers pharmaceutical innovators a supplementary reward based on the health impact of their products if they agree to sell those products at cost. This Fund is to be financed mainly by governments and will incentivize innovation and increase access to medicines that meet critical health needs. More information, including the full text of the proposal, is available at www.healthimpactfund.org.