#AlwaysInnovating: There's *more* to medicines and vaccines

Overview

In a world shaped by an ageing population and growing demands on healthcare, shifting geopolitics, and new health threats, medicines and vaccines are a key investment for more resilient economies and stronger societies.

Cutting edge pharmaceutical R&D sits at the convergence of AI, data science, genomics, and precision technologies. The industry reinvests nearly 30% of its revenue back into R&D, far outpacing electronics, aerospace, or manufacturing, highlighting its vital role in the innovation ecosystem.

We must prioritize sustained investment in innovative medicines and vaccines because the benefits go far beyond direct health outcomes. The same innovation that helps prevent, manage, and cure disease also supports healthcare system performance, high-value jobs, productivity, and preparedness.

Over 70%

Pharmaceutical innovation accounts for over 70% of increase in life expectancy in developing and high-income countries since the 1990s.

Invest in pharmaceutical innovation, drive progress

Medicines and vaccines have transformed health around the world.

Alongside this, they also strengthen the foundations of national resilience – across health, healthcare, economies, and security. Always Innovating 2026 sets out what’s at stake, what’s possible, and why sustained investment matters now.

Better health

Access to innovative medicines and vaccines transforms how we prevent, treat, and cure disease, and can support people everywhere to lead healthier, longer, and more productive lives.

In the past 10 years, almost 400 cancer treatments have been approved, revolutionizing cancer care, and giving people the chance to spend more time with their families, friends, and communities.

As we look ahead, between 350 and 400 new medicines are expected to launch by 2030 – ensuring a continued level of investment in pharmaceutical innovation that will help prevent, manage, and cure diseases to transform lives.

Stronger health systems

Investing in medicines and vaccines gives medical professionals the right tools to better treat people, strengthening healthcare systems and making them more efficient.

Preventative care can deliver up to 14 times the health and social return – future-proofing our care delivery with prevention, early intervention, and better tools for professionals.

It is imperative that we invest in proven preventative and early interventions that could generate $12.5 trillion in economic value annually by 2050 (roughly 7% of global GDP) and deliver an estimated fourfold return.

Economic growth

Innovation and high-value R&D helps to fuel skilled jobs with a continued multiplier effect across innovation ecosystems, supply chains, and the economy.

Contributing over $2.3 trillion to global GDP, the pharmaceutical industry employs 7.8 million people worldwide.

This industry is a hi-tech sector where investment creates a catalyst for growth across R&D-intensive industries, scientific discovery, and jobs of the future. R&D activities alone add $227 billion to global GDP and directly employ over 1 million highly trained researchers supporting high-skilled employment and economic growth. The sector also invests nearly 30% of its revenue back into R&D, which is substantially more than most industries.

Improved health security

Medicines and vaccines were crucial to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. With future pandemics projected to cost over $700 billion each year, investing in health innovation is essential for both economic stability and health security.

Health security is also workforce security.

A nation’s greatest asset is the health of its people and keeping people well helps keep societies functioning and economies moving. Adult immunization programs can deliver up to 19 times their initial investment by reducing respiratory infections, limiting complications of chronic diseases, and supporting productivity. Investments in routine immunization platforms represent an effective way to strengthen resiliency from future threats.

Call to action

All governments should engage with the pharmaceutical industry as a strategic partner, invest in healthcare, and ensure access to medicines and vaccines both now and in the future.