Public Pharma offers a powerful alternative to pharmaceutical systems driven primarily by commercial interests. As defined by the People's Health Movement (PHM), it encompasses the public ownership of the research, development, manufacturing, and distribution of medicines and other health technologies, with the explicit goal of meeting collective health needs rather than generating private profit. Rooted in the principles of equity, universal access, community participation, and self-reliance established by the Alma-Ata Declaration, Public Pharma reimagines medicines as public goods and positions pharmaceutical production as a cornerstone of health sovereignty, solidarity, and the realization of the right to health.
The case studies presented in this collection demonstrate how these principles are translated into practice across different national contexts. Sweden's Apotek Produktion & Laboratorier (APL) illustrates how a state-owned pharmaceutical company can address unmet health needs by producing essential medicines and specialized products neglected by the market. In Brazil, Lafepe highlights the critical role of Official Pharmaceutical Laboratories in supporting the Unified Health System (SUS), ensuring access to essential medicines, and strengthening domestic production capacities. The Bio-Manguinhos messenger RNA platform further showcases how publicly led research and innovation can build technological sovereignty, expand regional capacity for vaccine development, and improve preparedness for future public health emergencies.
Together, these case studies reveal both the achievements and the challenges of building pharmaceutical systems centered on the public interest. While each initiative operates within distinct political, economic, and institutional contexts, they share a common commitment to prioritizing public health over profit and strengthening the role of the state in guaranteeing equitable access to essential health technologies. By examining these experiences, this publication highlights the transformative potential of Public Pharma as a practical pathway toward more resilient, democratic, and socially just health systems, while identifying the policy choices and institutional investments needed to advance this vision globally.
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