The biopharmaceutical industry today adopted the " Berlin Declaration - Biopharmaceutical Industry's Vision for Equitable Access in the Event of a Pandemic. "' and made a proposal to world leaders that could help ensure the earliest possible delivery of pandemic vaccine, treatment and diagnostic supplies in future pandemics to those who need them most. The industry, which has been developing COVID-19 vaccines and therapies at record speed and historically unprecedented volumes, offers to collaborate on a common solution for more equitable distribution of vaccines, therapies and diagnostics in future pandemics. It publishes the statement and calls for discussions with the G7, G20, multilateral organizations and other decision-makers in the field of pandemic control to explore how the industry's offer,

Critical to the Declaration's success are better preparedness of health systems in low-income countries to accept and deliver vaccines and treatments, and appropriate political and financial support from high-income countries. The declaration underscores the need for a strong innovation ecosystem that recognizes intellectual property rights, as well as removing trade and regulatory barriers to exports. In addition, the statement notes that without robust pandemic plans to provide vaccines, therapies and diagnostics, and care for the populations of all countries, efforts to achieve justice will fail.

While the declaration recognizes the unprecedented success in innovating and scaling production during the COVID-19 pandemic, the goal of equal access has not been fully realized because of insufficient upfront funding mechanisms and countries not yet in were able to supply the vaccines. To date, this problem hinders the vaccination of all members of the priority population groups. For future pandemics, it must be ensured that all countries have the necessary technical and medical infrastructure, the human and financial capacities and the political support to be able to vaccinate, test and care for their populations.

The outcomes of the G7 summit in June ( link ) relating to investing in a better future for health under the heading "Progress towards a just world" and the recently approved Pandemic Financial Intermediary Fund ( link) are sending encouraging signals that, contrary to fears, the world has not gone from panic to complacency in preparing for future pandemics. Jean-Christophe Tellier, IFPMA President and CEO at UCB, said: “We applaud Germany's leadership in fighting the pandemic within the G7 and trust that our statement will be viewed by world leaders as a practical proposal for fairer access to action to combat future pandemics. For this concept to save lives, we need to work with the G7, and shortly thereafter the G20 in Bali, to clarify its implementation. If we are successful, we can succeed in helping to shape a future in which everyone has the opportunity

Industry has already received positive responses to their proposal, and many have expressed an interest in pursuing the discussion further.

His Excellency Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health of Indonesia, states: “The biopharmaceutical industry must play a central role in preparing for future pandemics. Close cooperation between public authorities, the private sector and civil society is required to ensure fair access to vaccines and therapies in the coming pandemics. I applaud the biopharmaceutical industry's commitment to our shared vision of “real-time” access for priority populations in low-income countries. I look forward to working with the leaders of the G7 and G20 to advance this important initiative.”

José Manuel Barroso, Gavi Chair and COVAX Co-Chair, describes his stance on the industry proposal: “I am delighted that IFPMA and industry leaders have taken this initiative. We have seen how to effectively scale innovation and production during this pandemic. But we've also seen the challenges we've had to overcome to get the vaccines to those who need them most. Industry's commitment to real-time dedicating part of the production of vaccines and therapies to vulnerable populations in low-income countries opens an opportunity for strategic collaboration to create a new social contract. I hope,

The association that has represented the industry to the multilateral institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the IFPMA, will forward the proposal to the G7 and G20. Thomas Cueni, Director General at IFPMA: “If all stakeholders work together and do their part, the efforts, investments, lessons and losses during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been wasted and can help shape a future in which are all better protected from the threat of pandemics. During the preparation of the declaration, I was very encouraged by the positive responses we received from government officials, partners and civil society. Our proposal is only a first step on the way to a solution that I believe has the potential

ABOUT IFPMA
IFPMA ( https://www.ifpma.org/ ) represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations around the world. The two million employees of the research-based pharmaceutical industry discover, develop and deliver medicines and vaccines that improve the quality of life for patients worldwide. Based in Geneva, IFPMA maintains official ties with the United Nations and uses its expertise to help the global healthcare sector find solutions that improve the health of people around the world.

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Contacts
Abigail Jones

a.jones@ifpma.org ,

Tel: +32475410976

 

Source:businesswire.com

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