Health Technology Access Pool (HTAP) by the WHO

By Staff Writer

February 19, 2024

WHO’s Health Technology Access Pool

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced the Health Technology Access Pool (HTAP). This serves as a successor to the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP). This initiative marks a significant step towards more equitable access to a broad range of health products. The aim is to enhance global health security.

From C-TAP to HTAP: A Journey of Evolution

Launched in May 2020, C-TAP was a collaborative effort between WHO, the Government of Costa Rica, and other partners. This platform was instrumental in providing a forum for technology partners to share intellectual property, knowledge, and data voluntarily. Despite the challenges of establishing a novel mechanism amidst a pandemic, C-TAP managed to secure six transparent, non-exclusive global licences involving 15 technologies that span research and development (R&D) tools, diagnostics, and vaccines.

Building on C-TAP’s Foundation

HTAP is built on the foundation laid by C-TAP but incorporates structural, process, and other changes to attract and support a diverse range of priority technologies more effectively. It aims to promote access to health products that respond to public health priorities, including pandemic preparedness, and are relevant during and outside health emergencies.

Amplifying Public Health Value

HTAP investments will amplify the public health value and increase the attractiveness of licensed technologies to recipient manufacturers. This approach will realise greater market opportunities and financial sustainability. The announcement on the licensing of a rapid diagnostic test platform technology serves as an example of such an approach.

The Future of HTAP: Awaiting Further Details

In the first quarter of 2024, WHO will publish further details on how HTAP will operate and the technologies it will target. Plans are in place to officially launch HTAP in the second quarter of 2024. In the interim, WHO will adopt the principles and approach described above in evaluating opportunities to secure health technologies and expand regional or global production capacity.

Reference url

Recent Posts

NICE Endorses Breakthrough Bladder Cancer Treatment for Enhanced Survival

By Staff Writer

August 25, 2025

Bladder cancer treatment has recently advanced, offering new hope for adults with advanced urothelial cancer. If you’re wondering, “What is the most effective first-line bladder cancer treatment for advanced cases in the UK right now?”—the latest update is that the National Institute for Health a...
UK Pharmaceutical Pricing Analysis: Impasse in VPAG Review Undermines Patient Access and Market G...
The accelerated review of the UK's Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access, and Growth (VPAG) concluded without agreement in August 2025. The review focused on soaring payment rates. These require companies to pay up to 35.6% of their revenue from NHS sales. Despite good faith effo...
TAVI Cost-Effectiveness in Brazil: Balancing Coverage Expansion and Economic Viability

By Staff Writer

August 21, 2025

The focus on TAVI cost-effectiveness Brazil has gained attention. The country is assessing the expansion of coverage for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This would include patients with severe aortic stenosis who are classified as low surgical risk (STS-PROM <4%) as a first-lin...