Background
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health conditions remain among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality and economic burden globally. Despite growing political commitment, progress in addressing NCDs and mental health continues to be constrained by insufficient financing, weak financial protection, and limited access to affordable medicines and services. Building on the momentum of the first and second dialogues in the series held in 2018 and 2024 respectively, the Third International Dialogue on Sustainable Financing for NCDs and Mental Health will focus on how countries can translate policy commitments into actionable reforms across financing, procurement, regulation, and service delivery.
The Dialogue comes at a pivotal moment. In 2026, several high-impact medicines, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as semaglutide and selected biosimilars for cancer and chronic diseases, are expected to lose patent protection across multiple low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This “2026 Access Pivot” presents an opportunity to expand access to affordable generic and biosimilar medicines through UHC benefit packages, while reducing out-of-pocket spending and strengthening publicly financed access.
Objectives
To align political commitment with coordinated implementation that strengthens sustainable financing and health system reform for NCDs and mental health, with a focus on leveraging the 2026 generics and biosimilars transition to accelerate financial protection and UHC integration.
Expected outcomesManila Declaration on Sustainable Financing and Health System Reform for NCDs and Mental Health
An action-oriented statement reaffirming commitments to UHC, financial protection, and equitable access, articulating priority reforms across the policy, practice and pricing continuum, including a section dedicated to capitalizing on the 2026 access pivot, related to access to generic and biosimilar medicines.Regional compact on access to health products and services
A strategic framework to improve affordability, supply security, and market access for priority health products, particularly for LMICs, through pooled procurement, strategic purchasing, aligned reimbursement policies and strengthened regional partnerships and implementation mechanisms.Sustainable Financing Toolkit
A practical guidance resource supporting countries in operationalizing options for financing and strategic purchasing reforms, including tools across the policy, practice, and pricing continuum.Consolidated Country Commitments and Insights (Dialogue Report)
A synthesis of commitments, implementation priorities, reform pathways and shared lessons from participating countries and partners, identifying areas for coordinated technical assistance and partner support.