Spotlight on Health Action International (HAI)

Who are we?

Health Action International (HAI) is a non-profit, independent, non-governmental organisation established in 1981 that promotes increased access to essential medicines, the essential medicines concept and the rational use of medicines.

Who do we represent?

We are a global network, comprised of over 250 consumer, health, development and other public interest groups, as well as healthcare professionals, academics and individuals in more than 70 countries around the world. Based in Amsterdam, HAI Europe is responsible for coordinating a work programme and related activities within the European Region.

What is our mission?

We are working towards a world where all people, especially those who are poor or marginalised, are able to exercise their human right to health.

Our goal is to achieve universal and equitable access to affordable essential medicines of assured quality and to ensure that those medicines are used rationally to promote the highest standards of health throughout the world.

What do we do?

We engage in evidence-based advocacy and awareness-raising among European policymakers on the potential consequences of medicines’ policies and regulations for European patients and consumers.

Our campaigns cover a variety of pharmaceutical policy issues such as:

 Reimbursement systems that create a barrier to access to medicines in Europe

 The patient information debate, and European ‘best practices’ in unbiased medicines information

 The impact of the European Union trade policies on access to essential medicines in low- and middle-income countries

 Relations between commercial interests and patient representatives in medicines’ policy

 Direct patient reporting experiences in pharmacovigilance

How do you get involved?

Please visit our website at www.haiweb.org for more information.

EPHA related articles

Health Action International - Europe (HAI)

article 3465

More money for health Aid better spent