The Global Health Initiative

News & Events

The EFPIA view

The Global Health Initiative: Recommendations from public debates

03.12.13

Global health is changing rapidly. As global markets and global health become more integrated, unique challenges are presenting themselves. EU policy has to adapt to globalisation and recognise the growing power of emerging markets. New relationships are needed with these increasingly influential political and economic actors – productive, sustainable relationships that go beyond simple charity. In Europe, the public policy debate is moving towards a focus on sustainable solutions and capacity building for global health, while safeguarding European assets and promoting its values.

As the voice of the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Europe, EFPIA – the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations – recognises the importance of actively participating in the search for solutions to these challenges. In developing new and improved medicines, the European pharmaceutical industry has an important role in shaping global health. This is the impetus behind EFPIA’s Global Health Initiative, which encourages diverse stakeholders, including NGOs, policy makers, and others, to come together in seeking answers to global health issues.

A series of debates, each hosted by an MEP, took place from early 2012 until September 2013. The debates addressed the following key questions on Global Health:

Breaking the Disease-Poverty Cycle: Do Pharmaceutical Companies Deliver on R&D for Neglected Diseases in Developing Countries?
Clinical Trials in Developing Countries: Do Patients Benefit from the Highest Ethical Principles?
Technology Transfer to Third Countries: How to Make it a Win-Win Situation?
Access to Medicines: What Should the Industry Contribute? Part I: The Affordability Challenges
Access to Medicines: What should the industry contribute? Part II: Supply Chain & Delivery Sys-tems - The Last Mile Challenge

This report summarises the outcomes of these panel discussions. The conclusions reached will help pave the way for a new series of debates and can guide the path forward for stakeholders to collaborate in producing innovative solutions to global health issues.