Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means "access to basic health services for all people throughout their lives when they need them and at a cost they can afford", and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted at the UN Summit in September 2015 include the achievement of UHC in Goal 3 (health and well-being). The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted at the UN Summit in September 2015 also include the achievement of UHC as Goal 3 (health and well-being).
Japan's healthcare system was developed more than 50 years ago in 1961, including the realization of a universal health insurance system, which has reduced medical disparities, and today the Japanese people enjoy the highest average life expectancy in the world. The Government of Japan has set the promotion of UHC as a policy goal and basic policy in its "Basic Policy for Peace and Health" announced in September 2015, and is actively working toward the realization of UHC in other countries, drawing on Japan's experience.
As attention to UHC has increased, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan (PMAJ), together with other pharmaceutical organizations (IFPMA, PhRMA, and EFPIA), has issued a basic concept for the establishment of a global UHC policy. This thinking is expressed in a joint statement (2014/03) entitled "Principles for an Innovative Biopharmaceutical Industry Joint Public Policy on Universal Health Coverage."
UHC Forum 2017 Side Event" Promoting Sustainable UHC by Improving Access to Healthcare for Non-Communicable Diseases
On December 12, 2017, the Pharmaceutical Association and Access Accelerated hosted the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum 2017 side event, "Accelerating Sustainable UHC by Improving Access to NCD Care - Accelerating Sustainable UHC by Improving Access to Healthcare for Non-Communicable Diseases" at the Tokyo Prince Hotel, Tokyo, Japan.
UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage
On September 23, 2019, the UN Universal Health Coverage (UHC) High-Level Meeting was held at the 74th UN General Assembly. In addition to Prime Minister Abe, the meeting was attended by UN General Assembly President Muhammad-Bande, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom, Melinda Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and others.
Prime Minister Abe stated at the meeting that "Japan's introduction of universal health coverage in 1961 and its achievement of UHC have supported the country's socioeconomic development and longevity, and that Japan has been rooted in this experience and has widely promoted the importance of UHC to people around the world.
The Political Declaration was approved at the meeting. The Political Declaration reaffirmed the goals of providing basic health care to all people by 2030 and eradicating poverty caused by the payment of health care costs. The IFPMA has shown a strong commitment at the political level to achieve UHC.
IFPMA read out the statement at this meeting, and in conjunction with this, the industry's thoughts and stance on UHC were expressed in a brochure entitled "Achieving a Healthier and Sustainable Future for All."