The Cyprus Association of Research and Development Pharmaceutical Companies (KEFEA) has been following with great concern the sudden change in policy on behalf of the Ministry of Health, in relation to the application of contracts for the purchase of medications.
KEFEA is in favour of adhering to the contracts signed between the pharmaceutical companies and the state, but also believes that the lack of flexibility and the strict adherence to bureaucratic procedures will create serious problems for the uninterrupted supply of medicines to Cypriot patients. The procedures followed previously ensured a steady supply of drugs, and were in no way detrimental to the quality and safety of the pharmaceutical products, nor did they affect prices. Instead, as KEFEA notes, the sudden and inflexible policy change currently being implemented by the Ministry might force companies to opt out of participating in competitions launched by the state and this can lead to shortages in medications which will have harmful effects on patients.
KEFEA considers it its responsibility to appeal to the relevant authorities to heed the calls of the aforementioned companies and above all, KEFEA calls upon the Ministry of Health to engage in a dialogue aimed at solving the problems that have arisen and thus avoiding unpleasant developments in the field of pharmaceuticals.
Finally, KEFEA has questioned the purpose of such a sudden policy change, which aims at repeating the worrying events of 2005, when dozens of pharmaceutical products were withdrawn from the Cyprus market, and certainly not at the benefit of patients.
For more information please contact the KEFEA spokesperson at 99 341 581. END
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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.