January 27, 2015
In the 2014 iteration of the Access to Medicine Index (ATM Index), Eisai was ranked 11th among the 20 world's leading pharmaceutical companies, representing a significant increase of four places from its previous ranking in 2012. Eisai and Novo Nordisk are the biggest risers among the 20 companies. Furthermore, Eisai ranked the highest among the four Japanese pharmaceutical companies included for index assessment.
Compiled by the Access to Medicine Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in the Netherlands, the ATM Index is the product of a two-year evaluation process that focuses on 20 global pharmaceutical companies and their efforts to improve access to medicines, particularly in developing countries. Please refer to the previous article about the ATM Index. (https://www.eisai.com/sustainability/atm/medicines/006.html)
In the 2014 report, Eisai was highly rated particularly for its commitment to the elimination of lymphatic filariasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD), by providing diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) tablets to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Eisai was also praised for the establishment of a global pricing policy, implementation of a tiered pricing scheme for Halaven in India, promoting development of new drugs for NTDs and other index diseases as well as launching Fycompa in various markets for the treatment of epilepsy which is included for index assessment. Moreover, the co-founding of the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund; https://www.eisai.com/sustainability/atm/innovation/008.html) was highlighted as a best practice.
Eisai believes that its efforts to improve access to medicines and contribute to the health and well-being of people in developing countries will lead to local mid- and long-term expansion of the middle-income population. Based on its human health care (hhc) philosophy, Eisai will continue to contribute to patients and their families worldwide through its pursuit and adoption of a sustainable business model that can further facilitate increased access to medicines and proactive engagement in related hhc activities.