In a separate meeting, Minister of Finance and EFPIA General Director stressed the importance of implementing a universal health system in Cyprus that will enhance innovation and research and improve healthcare. The industry expressed its commitment to contribute to a healthcare sustainable system in Cyprus. They also discussed on ways to fund innovation in Cyprus, through the IMI and other European projects.
Innovative Medicines Initiative (ΙΜΙ)
The IMI, a joint undertaking between the European Union and EFPIA, is Europe’s largest public-private initiative aiming to speed up the development of better and safer medicines for patients. IMI supports collaborative research projects and builds networks of industrial and academic experts in order to boost pharmaceutical innovation in Europe.
Cyprus Association of Research and Development Pharmaceutical Companies (KEFEA)
www.kefea.org.cy
The Cyprus Association of Research & Development Pharmaceutical Companies (KEFEA) was founded in 2006 as the representative body of multinational pharmaceutical companies in Cyprus. Its members are GSK, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi and Janssen, altogether employing more than 140 people in Cyprus. It is a member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). KEFEA’s mission is to provide Cypriots with quality healthcare and access to new medicines. Its objectives are to ensure uninterrupted access to medicines at reasonable prices in the Cyprus market, given the acknowledgement of budgetary constraints, provide scientific educational information on diseases and treatments to healthcare providers, ensure that European objectives regarding high healthcare standards are implemented in the Cyprus market, and comply with a common code of ethical practice.