Experts and leaders from the local and global generic and biosimilar medicines industry, Government and UN agencies, patient organizations, academia and other stakeholders are meeting from 7 to 9 September in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to discuss key topics affecting worldwide patient access to affordable medicines, such as
- the need for long-term investment in health;
- the off-patent medicines industry‘s vital role for healthcare resilience;
- the importance of a globally resilient supply chain and trade facilitating measures, as well as a balanced IP environment;
- the challenges and opportunities of digitalization and technological innovation;
- the need for regulatory agility, reliance and harmonization as demonstrated during the Covid-19 health crisis;
- effective strategies to advance global access to treatments for Non-Communicable Diseases, and
- the trends and policies that shape the competitive market environment, impacting the sustainability of the off-patent pharmaceutical sector, and hence medium and long-term reliable and affordable access to essential medicines.
“This year’s annual conference is the first ever conference by the International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA) in the South-East Asia Region and is hosted by our Associate Member, the Malaysian Organization of Pharmaceutical Industries (MOPI)”, commented Vivian Frittelli, IGBA Chair. “The generic and biosimilar medicines industry played a crucial role during the pandemic and is the biggest supplier of quality-assured medicines around the world, while reducing the pressure on healthcare budgets. Governments need to work together with all relevant stakeholders, to ensure that quality-assured medicines remain available, affordable, and accessible for patients, and reduce the risk of medicines shortages.” Frittelli added.
“We are proud to host this joint international conference in Kuala Lumpur”, commented, Billy Urudra, MOPI President. “The South East Asian (SEA) market is one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical markets in the world. It is crucial that the countries in this region continue to promote policies to support the growth of the generic and biosimilar medicines industry, while ensuring healthy market competition, progressing the ASEAN regulatory harmonization efforts and preserving patient access”, Urudra concluded.
About IGBA
The International Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association (IGBA), strengthens corporation between associations representing manufacturers of generic and biosimilar medicines around the world. Adopting a patient centric approach, IGBA is at the forefront of globally improving patients’ access to quality assured, safe and cost-effective medicines by preserving competition as well as enabling innovation in the pharmaceutical sector and sustainable economic contributions for all stakeholders.
More information about IGBA is available here
About MOPI
The Malaysian Organization of Pharmaceutical Industries (MOPI) was incorporated on 6 March 1981. MOPI’s membership is open to all manufacturers of pharmaceutical products whose manufacturing facilities in Malaysia is licensed by the Drug Control Authority, Ministry of Health. To date, MOPI’s membership has grown to 50 member companies, comprising of Government Linked Companies, Public Listed, Multi-National and Privately owned companies. All major pharmaceutical manufacturers in Malaysia are members of MOPI.
MOPI works closely with key stakeholders in Malaysia to promote greater access to quality and affordable Malaysian manufactured pharmaceutical products, with a vision of Malaysia being recognised as a world class pharmaceutical manufacturing hub. More information about MOPI is available here