Veronika Wirtz

Veronika Wirtz serves as Professor in the Department of Global Health at Boston University School of Public Health and Director of the WHO Collaborating Center in Pharmaceutical Policy. After earning her pharmacy degree from Albert-Ludwigs-University in Freiburg and master's in Clinical Pharmacy and PhD from the University of London, she has established herself as a leading voice in pharmaceutical policy and health systems strengthening. Her research focuses on medicine access, price analysis, and efficient use of medicines in low- and middle-income countries. Through her co-chairmanship of The Lancet Commission on Essential Medicine Policies (2014-2016) and founding leadership of the Medicines in Public Health Research Group at Mexico's National Institute of Public Health, she continues to influence global pharmaceutical policy. Her recent work includes evaluating surveillance strategies for antimicrobial consumption and refocusing WHO's Essential Medicines List on developing countries' needs. As technical advisor to organizations including WHO, World Bank, and the Gates Foundation, she advances understanding of pharmaceutical policy while publishing extensively in leading journals like The Lancet and BMJ.