A dialogue to improve the health system by focusing on innovation and research was launched Monday February 6th 2012 by the Cyprus Association of Research and Development Pharmaceutical Companies (KEFEA) and the Minister of Health Stavros Malas.
In a meeting held at the Ministry of Health, both sides extensively discussed important issues concerning the health sector and in particular, the pharmaceutical sector. KEFEA noted the weaknesses that arise from the lack of epidemiological studies, emphasizing that the recording and analysis of epidemiological data is necessary to identify risk factors for disease and targets for preventative medicine. KEFEA expressed its intention to investigate with its members the possibility to fund such programmes for certain disease areas with the aim of establishing baseline information for the Cypriot population which can then be used to evaluate health outcomes based on the use of innovative medicines. On his part, the Minister of Health agreed that the lack of epidemiological data is indeed a serious issue that should be given special attention, and thanked KEFEA for this initiative.
KEFEA also informed Mr. Malas that in March, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) will be visiting Cyprus, during which time the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) will bediscussed in order to determine what opportunities exist for its implementation in Cyprus and invited Mr. Malas to attend the meeting. The IMI 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. IMI is a joint undertaking between the European Union and the pharmaceutical industry association EFPIA.
Furthermore, KEFEA highlighted the emphasis it places on the proper use of medicines and the Code of Ethics and Practice it has adopted, which is also applied at a European level. The Organization is responsible for the compliance of its members, and its wish is that this Code is adopted by other non-member pharmaceutical companies as well. In 2009, as KEFEA noted, the research and development budget in Europe was estimated at 27 Billion Euros, providing patients with innovative medicines that address unmet medical needs.
Both sides agreed to continue their dialogue and will return for a reassessment of their progress within a short period of time.
For more information, please contact the President of KEFEA, Ms Jacqueline Anastassiades at 22 866 832 or Vice President, Mr. Daan Gijbels at 22 397 001.
Photo: 9 February 2012
Health Minister Stavros Malas with the representatives of KEFEA, Ms Jacqueline Anastassiades, President, Mr. Daan Gijbels, Vice President, and Kyriacos Mikellis, Member.
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 Astellas Pharmaceuticals, GSK, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis and Janssen, altogether employing more than 140 people in Cyprus. It is an affiliated 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 constrains, 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.