Merck has announced voluntary licensing deals for its experimental HIV prevention pill, aiming to accelerate large-scale production in low-income countries. The agreements are intended to make the drug more widely available once approved, allowing generic manufacturers to produce it. Simultaneously, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended that compounding pharmacies be permitted to produce four specific peptide drugs. The panel’s decision is seen as a victory for peptide advocates, who argue that compounding can help meet patient needs. Both developments highlight ongoing efforts to improve access to medications, though the topics are separate. Merck’s licensing strategy for HIV prevention and the FDA panel’s recommendation on peptides represent distinct advances in pharmaceutical policy and public health.