Only sustainable partnership can solve Europes public health challenges, says EFPIA

Andrew Witty, president of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, and EFPIA director general Richard Bergstrom have pledged to continue listening to patients, customers and other stakeholders and work in partnership with them to find solutions to the challenges facing Europe.

At the start of the EFPIA’s annual meeting in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday, Mr Witty said: “Since becoming president I have ensured that EFPIA listens to its stakeholders and works harder to meet their expectations. We have seen important changes: We have agreed a Leadership Statement to ensure that we act ethically and established a Trust Committee to place building trust at the heart of EFPIA activities. We are engaging constructively in the Joint Action on HTAs; playing a leading part in the Active and Healthy Aging Innovation Partnership (AHAIP); working constructively on promoting patent reform; and seeking ways forward on the development of new antibiotics. These and other actions reflect the way that EFPIA is changing.”

Just a few days ago, the European Union Council of Ministers reached conclusions that explicitly address the need to rethink health care strategy and related investment in Europe. They emphasized the need to create modern, responsive, efficient, effective and financially sustainable health systems that provide equitable access to health services for all. They stated that investments in health should be acknowledged as a contributor to economic growth, but recognised that economic and other resources are scarce. These are welcome comments, noted Mr Witty, adding that it is important now that EFPIA and the industry work closely with the authorities in Brussels and across the member states to address these issues, the association stated.