allAfrica.com: Worldwide Pharmaceutical Industry Launches Global Health Progress Initiative

The worldwide pharmaceutical industry today launched Global Health Progress, an initiative to bring research-based biopharmaceutical companies, global health leaders and policymakers together to build on current partnerships to improve health in the developing world.

Serving as a convening point for the industry and its partners, Global Health Progress will facilitate interaction between the private sector, NGOs and governments to share research and best practices; raise awareness of global health challenges; and build partnerships to improve global health.

"Research-based biopharmaceutical companies contribute hugely to health partnerships for the developing world, through their unique expertise in R&D, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, logistics and many other fields, but we can't work alone." said Dr. Harvey Bale, Director General of IFPMA. "The Global Health Progress initiative should help to expand the range and scope of global health partnerships supported by our industry."

Global Health Progress today unveiled its web site, www.globalhealthprogress.org, which houses a database of research-based biopharmaceutical companies' global health programs, including information on more than 300 partners, 400 programs and ongoing investments of billions of dollars annually in products and man-hours. Featuring stories of health workers on the ground, the site highlights organizations and individuals who are making a difference in global health.

"Research-based biopharmaceutical companies have a longstanding commitment to improving global health – this initiative is a recognition of our unique role and desire to accelerate progress in fighting disease and strengthening health care systems in developing countries " said Billy Tauzin, President and CEO of PhRMA. "As individual companies and a united industry, we recognize that our efforts to address universal health challenges are best realized through partnerships with governments and NGOs that are dedicated to saving lives throughout the world."

Global Health Progress will leverage strengths in private industry to form new partnerships to further access to medicines; build capacity of health workers in developing nations; advocate for global action to address health challenges; and continue R&D to develop new tools to fight diseases that plague the developing world.

"Global Health Progress is a groundbreaking initiative to focus the expertise of the pharmaceutical industry to work with a diverse array of partners to create lasting, sustainable global health change," said Brian Ager, Director General of EFPIA. "We recognize that global health challenges are complex and we want contribute our experience and resources to developing new solutions."