NHI can make or break SA’s healthcare system
National Health Insurance (NHI) has the potential to make or break South African healthcare, depending on the strength of its foundation. With the...
The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the SA Medical Research Council that aims to advance South Africa’s objectives to research, develop and, ultimately, commercialise innovative health solutions, are two of the noteworthy developments achieved by the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association of South Africa (IPASA) since its inception 10 years ago.
Photo caption: (from left) Mothobi Godfrey Keele- IPASA Head of Government Affairs and Policy; Bada Pharasi- IPASA CEO; Sara Norcross Novo Nordisk Vice President & General Manager South Africa; Bongi Malebo- IPASA Strategic Projects, Public Relations and Communications; Barnaby McKay Astellas Managing Director South Africa at Astellas Europe; Aurélien Breton Servier General Manager Southern Africa.
In a statement released to acknowledge this milestone, IPASA has noted that as the South African representative of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), the association is granted access to the latest global developments in medicines and treatments. As such it represents 28 pharmaceutical companies dedicated to the development and manufacturing of innovative, quality medicines for the South African market.
“The vulnerability of many communities in South Africa, particularly during the recent pandemic,” IPASA CEO, Bada Pharasi, adds, “has underlined the importance of continued investment into Research and Development (R&D) to prepare the healthcare system to stave off the risk of future disease outbreaks. The intention of the memorandum with the DSI and SAMRC in particular, therefore, will help us accomplish this, and more.”
IPASA, the statement goes on to note, has been instrumental in fostering relationships between government and pharmaceutical stakeholders and has established several key partnerships over the past 10 years, including playing a meaningful role in activities initiated by the Department of Health, the Department of Trade Industry, and Competition Commission.
Furthermore, IPASA has worked closely with the independent, non-profit biotechnology association, AfricaBio, which has led to the organisation expanding its offering to include health and industrial biotechnology after initially only focusing on agricultural biotechnology. In doing so, it has seen the organisation initiate its first BIO Africa Convention in 2018, which is now an annual event that has continued to be well-received.
“Innovation in novel pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical devices is embedded in our mission as IPASA, as well as the member companies in our fold.
“This innovation,” Pharasi concluded, “is not only about changing the way diseases are managed, but about making a meaningful difference in the lives of South Africans.”
SOURCE: Eclipse Communications on behalf of IPASA