Pharma firms play vital role
INNOVATIVE pharmaceutical companies play a significant role in contributing to the global economy and innovative new medicines provide tremendous value to patients and society. In recent years, medicines have resulted in significant progress against some of the world’s most complex diseases, often fighting not only the symptoms but the root causes of the debilitating diseases.
Closer to home, the innovative pharmaceutical industry continues to be a leader in the development of new medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics. As stated by the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of SA’s (Ipasa) 2019 Footprint study, multinational pharmaceutical companies continue to have a significant impact on the economy, particularly in of research and development, clinical research, job creation as well as manufacturing and overall economic contribution.
The study further shows that between 2016 and next year, an estimated R2.95 billion would have been spent by innovative multinational pharmaceutical companies in the country, supporting clinical research into new treatments serving unmet medical needs.
In South Africa, clinical research sponsorships by innovative pharmaceuticals are substantial and growing. Over R1bn has been earmarked for investment in upcoming and ongoing trials, to benefit patients immensely.
As the fight against Covid-19 marches on, Ipasa member companies are searching for new vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics and have initiated engagements with governments across sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, to support their Covid-19 response and strategies.
The outbreak of the virus has shown that the most at-risk population are people over 65 years of age, with underlying conditions, including cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, immunosuppression, diabetes, chronic liver, or kidney disease and more. Ipasa wants to assure people living with chronic conditions that the supply of medication needed to manage their conditions will continue.
As science-driven research-based pharmaceuticals, Ipasa members have provided novel solutions to some of the world’s biggest health-care challenges of our time and have a clear role to play in leading the development of effective treatments and vaccines against Covid-19. Many of our member companies have deployed teams of scientists working collaboratively across companies to develop a viable vaccine. Pfizer has announced its vaccine candidate which has demonstrated evidence of efficacy against Covid-19. What an incredible feat!
Ipasa member companies have been engaging with governments, Gavi, UN Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization and other stakeholders to ensure that millions of doses will be distributed across the globe equitably. Ipasa members remain committed to partnering with other stakeholders to ensure that vaccines reach low- and middle-income countries. We believe that there should be an increased focus on building local capacity to scale up vaccination programmes. We are also prepared to increase the industry’s manufacturing capabilities and willingly share available capacity to ramp up production once a successful vaccine or treatment is approved.
I urge all health-care stakeholders to continue to stand with the global community and the WHO in the fight against Covid-19. Together, we’ll win.