Global Access Policy: A Mechanism for Enhancing the Societal Impact of UK-driven Research and Innovation

The United Kingdom is one of the world’s leading producers of publicly funded research and innovation, yet a persistent gap remains between scientific discoveries and equitable access to them by those with the greatest need. Medicines, diagnostics, and other health technologies developed in UK universities and funded by public and philanthropic money frequently fail to reach populations in low- and middle-income countries, because market incentives favour wealthier customers over global need. This also undermines equitable and affordable access to these health innovations in wealthier countries. Global Access Policies (also known as equitable access or socially responsible licensing policies/strategies) are institutional commitments/guidelines that embed affordability and equitable access into the way research is developed, licensed and commercialised and they offer a practical mechanism for closing this gap. But how widely are they used in the UK? And do they actually work?

This report provides the first systematic analysis of GAPs across UK higher education institutions and research funders. Drawing on existing literature evidence and in-depth interviews with senior stakeholders at the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Wellcome, the British Academy, and Unitaid, it maps the current landscape, examines the evidence on the effectiveness/impact of these policies, and identifies key barriers like limited industry engagement, insufficient policy alignment across research and funding institutions and weak accountability mechanisms that too often render these access commitments symbolic rather than impactful when implemented. The report also shares a model GAP template and framework that institutions and funders can adapt for their own use.

For researchers, policymakers, research funders, technology transfer offices, and anyone with an interest in how publicly financed science genuinely serves the public good, this report offers both a frank assessment of where the UK currently stands and recommendations for doing better.

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