26 October 2018, Astana – The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), the body accredited by the United Nations (UN) to represent the R&D biopharmaceutical industry attended Astana at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care on 25-26 October, co-hosted by the Government of Kazakhstan, WHO and UNICEF. R&D biopharmaceutical industry announced its support for the Astana Declaration and welcomed the renewed political commitment towards the importance of primary health care.  The industry body used the occasion to present a number of initiatives that are being pioneered to improve access to treatments and systems that ensure access at the primary care level.

Thomas Cueni, Director General, IFPMA delivered the following message at the Global Conference on Primary Health Care: “The research-based biopharmaceutical industry acknowledges that it needs to do more and do better to bring the fruits of its innovation to all, regardless of economic circumstances. Our industry is much more than a supplier of medicines and vaccines and is pioneering ways to overcome the multiple barriers to access to quality healthcare. Developing more collaborations at the primary health care level will enable healthcare companies to deliver products and services more efficiently and can accelerate progress towards reaching Universal Health Coverage”.

IFPMA joined over 1,200 heads of state, ministers of health, finance, education, NGOs, health practitioners and youth leaders to mark the 40th anniversary of the Declaration of Alma-Ata, signed in 1978 in Kazakhstan.  The Alma-Ata Declaration was a ground-breaking document that underscored the importance of primary health care as the key to delivering better health for all, and the value of health equity and addressing social determinants to health. Despite substantial progress in health outcomes over the past few decades, particularly in reducing child and maternal mortality, the Alma-Ata vision remains unfulfilled and the Conference aimed to renew political commitments towards strengthening primary health care, in the context of achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

IFPMA was invited to participate in discussions held to identify and explore approaches to break the cycle of “business as usual” that is needed if the substantial growth in demand for primary health care products projected over the coming years is to be met.

The industry body presented a range of innovative initiatives that the R&D biopharmaceutical industry has instigated to improve access to treatments and systems that ensure access at the primary care level. Examples include supply chain and procurement initiatives, as well as partnerships set up to impact access to treatments that are part of the industry’s ongoing commitment to concrete responses that achieve long-term gains for people and their communities, whilst also contributing towards the overarching goal of reaching UHC and ensuring no-one is left behind.   IFPMA will seek to continue sharing its experience and point of view throughout the preparations of the UN’s High-Level Meeting on UHC to be held in 2019.  This was also the motivation behind IFPMA deciding to sign up to the UHC2030 Global Compact, a platform to encourage greater coordination and collaboration to build a movement towards meeting the goal of UHC.

About the IFPMA – International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations:

IFPMA represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations across the globe. The industry’s 2 million employees discover, develop, and deliver medicines and vaccines that improve the life of patients worldwide.

For further information, please contact:

Morgane De Pol

Manager, Communications and Public Affairs

m.depol@ifpma.org

+ 41 22 38 32 00 / +41 79 962 11 95

About IFPMA

IFPMA represents the innovative pharmaceutical industry at the international level, engaging in official relations with the United Nations and multilateral organizations. Our vision is to ensure that scientific progress translates into the next generation of medicines and vaccines that deliver a healthier future for people everywhere.

To achieve this, we act as a trusted partner, bringing our members' expertise to champion pharmaceutical innovation, drive policy that supports the research, development, and delivery of health technologies, and create sustainable solutions that advance global health.

ifpma.org

Media Contact

Elliot Dunster e.dunster@ifpma.org