The Accessing Medicines in Africa and South Asia (AMASA) project is a three-year research initiative funded by the European Union's Framework Programme 7, led by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with partners from Belgium, Switzerland, Uganda, South Africa, and India. The project investigates how factors such as patent regimes, pharmaceutical regulations, availability of drug production facilities, and healthcare infrastructure impact access to medicines.
Focusing on seven critical healthcare areas—HIV/AIDS, malaria, reproductive health, tuberculosis control, mental health, pain management, and diabetes—AMASA builds on prior research conducted on pharmaceuticals in India and Nepal. It aims to understand the complex interplay between regulatory frameworks and healthcare networks, emphasizing the need for further investigation into how these elements influence drug production and delivery.
The findings from AMASA will inform health policy decisions related to the accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and appropriate use of essential medicines in the targeted countries, with broader implications for developing nations and international health agencies. Throughout the research, the project engages national and international stakeholders to maximize the impact of its findings on policy and practice.