Strength in Unity: Advancing access to medicines across the Commonwealth
How the Commonwealth Heads of Procurement Network helps to build resilient and equitable medicine supply systems
by Victoria Rutter, Chief Executive Officer
Access to essential medicines is a cornerstone of universal health coverage and a fundamental human right. Yet, in many Commonwealth countries – particularly small island developing states and low- and middle-income countries – this access remains precarious. From insulin stockouts in the Pacific to high costs of antimicrobials in the Caribbean, medicine shortages and affordability issues persist, undermining public health and widening inequality.
This challenge is not just a health issue – it is a trade issue. Many Commonwealth nations are heavily reliant on imported medicines, leaving them vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions, fluctuating prices, and procurement inefficiencies. With global health financing tightening, the urgency to find sustainable, cooperative solutions is more critical than ever.
The Commonwealth, as a family of 56 countries spanning diverse geographies and health systems, is uniquely positioned to turn this shared vulnerability into collective strength through partnership-based approaches.
From transparency to transformation: the VIPSD journey
A pivotal development in this journey has been the launch of the Voluntary Information and Price Sharing Database (VIPSD) in 2021. This initiative, born from the request of Commonwealth Health Ministers and implemented with support from the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, aims to enhance transparency in medicine pricing and procurement.
VIPSD allows countries to share real-time, verified data on pharmaceutical prices, suppliers, and product availability. This transparency enables informed negotiation, improves forecasting, and helps countries – especially those with limited market leverage – secure fair prices. The 2023 scoping review across eight Commonwealth member states confirmed what many already knew: lack of quality data is a major barrier to efficient procurement and equitable access.
VIPSD doesn’t just offer information – it offers leverage. By addressing asymmetries in trade and procurement information, it empowers countries to better navigate pharmaceutical markets, secure better deals, and avoid overpaying for essential medicines.
The Heads of Procurement Network: a platform for collaboration and trade solidarity
To operationalise the benefits of VIPSD and build capacity across nations, the Commonwealth Secretariat established the Heads of Procurement Network (HOPN). This platform connects procurement professionals from across the Commonwealth, enabling the exchange of best practices, supplier intelligence, and collaborative strategies.
HOPN isn’t a regulatory body – it’s a peer support network that fosters country-to-country assistance, from sourcing alternative suppliers to troubleshooting procurement challenges. It also offers a powerful mechanism for exploring pooled procurement initiatives, particularly in regions like the Pacific and the Caribbean, where fragmented markets drive up costs.
As a trade-enabled initiative, HOPN aligns procurement with broader economic and diplomatic frameworks. It illustrates how health and trade ministries can work hand in hand – using shared data, regional collaboration, and coordinated purchasing to build resilient and equitable medicine supply systems.
Commonwealth collaboration amid global funding cuts
With traditional global health financing shrinking, Commonwealth nations can no longer rely solely on external aid to meet their population’s health needs. Instead, they must build resilient, internally supported systems that leverage the strengths of regional collaboration, shared infrastructure, and collective bargaining power.
The Commonwealth’s emphasis on cooperation, shared values, and knowledge exchange makes it an ideal platform to champion this shift. Initiatives like VIPSD and HOPN exemplify the power of a partnership approach – one that transcends borders and sectors, uniting health and trade in pursuit of a common goal.
Equitable access to essential medicines is achievable – but only through bold, collective action. The Commonwealth has the scale, diversity, and diplomatic cohesion to lead by example. By embracing data transparency, strengthening procurement networks, and aligning health with trade strategies, we can ensure that no Commonwealth citizen is denied the medicines they need.
Now is the time for governments, development partners, and professional associations to invest in these platforms and support this shared mission. Together, the Commonwealth can transform a fragmented pharmaceutical landscape into a coordinated, resilient, and equitable system that delivers for all.
Victoria Rutter
Chief Executive Officer
About the author
As CEO of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA) since 2016, Victoria has transformed the charity’s mission: to empower pharmacists as leaders in improving health and well-being across the Commonwealth. Under her leadership, the CPA has expanded its global reach, pioneered impactful initiatives like the award-winning Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship, and strengthened the profession’s role in medicines management.
With a visionary approach and a global portfolio, she continues to champion equitable access to quality healthcare through the lens of the pharmacy profession.