GlaxoSmithKline creates a new operating unit dedicated to expanding access to medicines for people living in the world’s poorest countries

Issued: London, UK

As part of its commitment to further transform the company’s approach to diseases that disproportionately affect the world’s poorest people, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today announced that it is creating a new operating unit dedicated to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs*).

A new Developing Countries and Market Access operating unit has been created which will integrate GSK's pharmaceutical business in LDCs into one group. The group will provide a dedicated focus on the strategic approaches needed to expand access to medicines for patients living in these countries.

Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, GSK, said, “Access to medicines continues to become hardwired into the way we do our business as we seek new solutions to challenges in all the communities in which we operate. Creating an operating unit specifically for the Least Developed Countries builds on our commitment to change the landscape of healthcare for the world’s poorest people.”

Duncan Learmouth is appointed to lead this new group, effective 1 August. He will report to Abbas Hussain, President, Emerging Markets/Asia Pacific. The new group will also include the Market Access function that supports access programmes and policies for the wider Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific (EMAP) Region.

Notes to editors

*As defined by the UN there are currently 49 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of which 33 are in Africa. Structural weaknesses, poverty, susceptibility to natural and man-made disasters and to communicable diseases hamper the efforts of these countries to improve the quality of life of their people.
GSK recently reduced the prices of its patented medicines by an average of 45% in LDCs. The company is also reinvesting 20% of profits from medicines in LDC countries back into projects that strengthen healthcare infrastructure and help widen access to medicines.