Healthy Skepticism Library item: 18976

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Stovall S
AstraZeneca CEO: Pharma Must Be Open, Work With Stakeholders
Nasdaq 2010 Nov 24
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201011101314dowjonesdjonline000533&title=astrazeneca-ceopharma-must-be-openwork-with-stakeholders

Full text:

The global pharmaceuticals industry must become more transparent if it is to rebuild public trust in the sector, AstraZeneca PLC’s (AZN) chief executive said Wednesday.

David Brennan told a gathering of drug sector leaders that industry stockholders need to collaborate to collectively address the world’s healthcare challenges.

“Part of restoring that trust is about being transparent,” Brennan said in prepared remarks to the 25th International Federation of Pharmaceutical and Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) assembly in Washington D.C.

“If we are honest, our industry has not always been as open in the past as it could have been. But I think there is recognition now that transparency is the best way to build relationships and understanding.”

Brennan’s remarks were part of his inaugural speech as the new IFPMA president.

He said challenges such as chronic diseases and antibiotic resistance will make cooperation and partnerships even more necessary in future. He pledged that the IFPMA will continue working closely with the World Health Organisation and other stakeholders towards this end.

“We already have some clear examples of the potential of those partnerships, not least in the fight against tuberculosis,” he said.

“The major collaboration led by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the TB Alliance, and the Critical Path Institute is making real progress in speeding up the development of new treatments.”

“Here again, it is the sharing of the work that is making the difference by bringing together pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, donors, advocates, academics, and NGOs.”

“Making these sorts of partnerships work effectively must be a central priority for all of us, because they will provide us with a model for achieving successful health outcomes in the future,” Brennan said.