Season 14 • Episode 1101

Challenges in Global Access to Life-Saving Medications and Vaccines

Sep 3, 2026

17:36

Health Policy Global Health Public Health COVID-19 Vaccines & Immunization

Episode Description

About this episode:

During the recent pandemic, low-income countries struggled to access the COVID-19 vaccine, despite a global framework that had been established for this purpose. In this episode: Tahir Amin, a leader in the access to medicines movement, shares his perspective on what failed during the pandemic and how this experience reflects larger challenges in the availability and affordability of critical medications.

Guest:

Tahir Amin, DPLP, is a founder and CEO of the Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge (I-MAK), a nonprofit organization working to address the inequities in how medicines are developed and distributed.

Host:

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.

Show links and related content:

Pharma Monopoly: The Battle for the Future of Medicines—Polity Books (book)
Americans' Challenges with Health Care Costs—KFF
Patently imperfect—Science
Could Patent Reform Lower Drug Prices?—Public Health On Call (March 2023)

Transcript information:

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