WHO Executive Board, 132nd session

IFPMA Statement under agenda item 10.2 “Follow-up of the report of the Consultative Expert
Working Group on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination” 

Delivered by Mario Ottiglio, Director, Public Affairs & Global Health Policy

Thank you on behalf of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) for the opportunity to provide our perspective on this topic. We represent the global research-based pharmaceutical industry, whose primary contribution to global health is the development and supply of innovative medicines and vaccines.

The CEWG provided a comprehensive basis for discussion on increasing coordination and financing particularly in type II and III diseases, and IFPMA welcomed the conclusion that new models would be supplementary instruments to address challenges that cannot be fully tackled through the current innovation paradigm.

Outcomes from the open-ended meeting last November show member states’ long-term commitment to address this endeavor comprehensively and to deliver tangible outputs.

Colleagues, we need a mix of vision and pragmatism in this debate. This is a good time to move forward onto a concrete path.

In this spirit, we welcome undertaking a systematic and standardized review of unmet needs for these diseases and of R&D flows and research capacity in order to develop a clear picture of needs, gaps and priorities. These are difficult challenges, but we believe that understanding key research gaps is a precondition to addressing them. We hope establishing the Observatory will be a prime opportunity to achieve the above goal.

Concurrently, IFPMA member companies continue their engagement in this area. A recent IFPMA status report shows that R&D on these diseases is happening. Our member companies’ R&D programs have increased in recent years to reach a total of 132 projects in 2012— an overall 40% increase from the preceding year. Also, 85% of these project are carried out through collaborative approaches. As well, there is an opportunity today to leverage existing initiatives, such as the TDR Programme and WIPO Re:Search.

The IFPMA and its members companies and associations stand ready to provide expertise and to assist further in this process which is so crucial to achieving our shared commitment to facilitating innovation and access to medicines for unmet medical needs.

Thank you.

Check against Delivery (25 January 2013)

About IFPMA

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) represents over 90 innovative pharmaceutical companies and associations around the world. Our industry’s almost three million employees discover, develop, and deliver medicines and vaccines that advance global health. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community improve the lives of people everywhere. For more information, visit ifpma.org.

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