Joint Industry Statement: ABPI, EFPIA, Farmindustria, IMC, IFPMA, JPMA, LEEM, PhRMA, vfa
28.10.21
28 October 2021 – Global public health is inextricably linked to the health of the planet. Climate change, air pollution and other environmental challenges have a demonstrable impact on public health around the world. As part of the global health care system, the innovative biopharmaceutical industry is committed to minimizing our impact on the planet as well as to researching and developing new health products that manage and mitigate health risks from environmental challenges.
Global industry has led the way in tackling COVID-19 and we are fully committed to partnering with governments and health systems across the world to take concerted action to address climate change. We are investing in research and development in greener products, as well as more sustainable production and distribution practices, that enable us to deliver medical innovation to patients in ways that protect and support the environment.
Our companies are already working on initiatives to reduce carbon emissions across our own operations and value chains, invest in renewable electricity and energy efficiency measures, recycle and cut water use and on bespoke projects which will impact positively on the environment.
Our member companies have taken significant actions to address climate change. Eighty percent of the largest innovative companies have set net-zero or carbon-neutrality targets and many more have committed to ambitious short-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts. Our companies’ efforts are already yielding results in terms of emissions reductions, energy efficiency savings, and increased shares of renewable electricity. Investment in science and research, alongside co-ordinated global cooperation, will deliver solutions to the biggest challenges of our age including the climate crisis.
ENDS.
About
ABPI exists to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use new medicines. We represent companies of all sizes who invest in discovering the medicines of the future. Our members supply cutting edge treatments that improve and save the lives of millions of people. We work in partnership with Government and the NHS so patients can get new treatments faster and the NHS can plan how much it spends on medicines. Every day, we partner with organisations in the life sciences community and beyond to transform lives across the UK.
The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) represents the biopharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. Through its direct membership of 36 national associations, 39 leading pharmaceutical companies and a growing number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), EFPIA’s mission is to create a collaborative environment that enables our members to innovate, discover, develop, and deliver new therapies and vaccines for people across Europe, as well as contribute to the European economy.
Founded in May 1978, Farmindustria is an association of pharmaceutical companies. It is a member of Confindustria, of the European Federation (EFPIA) and of the International Federation (IFPMA). Its members, Italian and foreign-owned companies operating in Italy, number about 200. The association promotes the value of medicines from a therapeutic, industrial, economic and social standpoint by heightening awareness of pharmaceutical companies and their contribution to the entire economy in terms of research, innovation, and the generation of value. Moreover, it pursues the creation of a stable regulatory environment and a medicines policy that recognizes the vital role they play in the growth of life sciences in the country.
Innovative Medicines Canada is the national association representing the voice of Canada’s innovative pharmaceutical industry. The association advocates for policies that enable the discovery, development, and delivery of innovative medicines and vaccines to improve the lives of all Canadians and supports the members’ commitment to being a valued partner in the Canadian healthcare system. The association represents 47 companies who invest nearly $1.2 billion in R&D annually, fueling Canada’s knowledge-based economy, while contributing $8-billion to Canada’s economy. Guided by the Code of Ethical Practices, all members work with governments, private payers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner.
The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) represents research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations across the globe. The research-based pharmaceutical industry's 2 million employees research, develop and provide medicines and vaccines that improve the life of patients worldwide. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community find solutions that improve global health.
The Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is a voluntary association comprising 73 research-oriented pharmaceutical companies. JPMA has been contributing to advancing global healthcare through the development of innovative ethical drugs, facilitating sound development of the pharmaceutical industry through proactively establishing policies and recommendations in response to globalization and enhancing public understanding of pharmaceuticals.
Leem is the French industry association which represents drug companies operating in France. Leem has over 260 member companies representing a total workforce of 98.780 employees (more than 3% of industrial employment in France) and a revenue of € 62.1 billion (of which half are exports). The industry association provides its members with in-depth, quantified, and well-reasoned studies and analyses on the major issues facing the industry and on current events. On a national level, Leem acts as a champion and advocate for the pharmaceutical industry. In this capacity, it participates in numerous official, ministerial, and inter-ministerial committees. As the interlocutor between industry and policy makers, Leem is the driving force behind proposals to promote France's attractiveness as an industrial hub and to pursue a healthcare policy geared towards patients’ needs, while preserving the benefits delivered by innovative therapies as well as the healthcare spending control target. Leem is the only pharmaceutical employers' association in France and, as such, engages in social policy work on behalf of the sector, negotiating, among other things, the collective agreement or minimum wage agreements with social partners.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Since 2000, PhRMA member companies have invested more than $1 trillion in the search for new treatments and cures, including $91.1 billion in 2020 alone.
The Association of Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies (VFA) is the trade association of the innovative pharmaceutical industry in Germany. It represents the interests of 47 world's leading manufacturers and more than 100 subsidiaries and affiliated companies in the health, research and economic policy. The members of the VFA up about two-thirds of the German pharmaceutical market and employ approximately 80,000 employees in Germany. 19,000 of whom work in research and development.