Open letter from Richard Bergström to Guntis Belēvičs
24.03.15
The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations is delighted to accept an invitation to participate in a panel on the financing of sustainable TB response within the framework of the 1st Eastern Partnership Ministerial Conference on Tuberculosis and Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis, to be held from March 30-31, in Riga, Latvia.
We very much welcome the efforts of the Latvian Presidency in the organisation of this important, multi-stakeholder, high-level conference on tuberculosis and its Multi-Drug Resistance, leading to the adoption of a Declaration on how Member States and the EU should tackle TB and MDR-TB.
EFPIA looks forward to contributing to the conference's stated goals of reducing the burden of tuberculosis (TB) and Multidrug Resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and ultimately eliminating TB and MDR-TB in EU/European Economic Area and EaP countries. We also welcome the drive to boost multi-sectoral and cross-regional approaches in TB prevention and care, with a focus on vulnerable communities and trans-boundary transmission, while respecting human rights.
Marking World Tuberculosis Day, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) commends your efforts to highlight the burden of Tuberculosis (TB) and Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Tuberculosis to the European Region as one of the key priorities of your Presidency Programme.
Tackling TB requires a holistic approach encompassing awareness raising and prevention, research & development, diagnosis, appropriate treatment and adherence to prescribed medication. The fight against TB and MDR-TB will only be won through the collective efforts of all relevant stakeholders. As a partner in the treatment of TB, industry is continuing to advance patient care through the research and development of new medicines.
EFPIA and its members are fully prepared to work with stakeholders and Member States in developing treatment options, healthcare system design and future research, with a view to eradicating TB in Europe and beyond.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Bergström