GENEVA – Partnerships between industry, multilateral organizations and other stakeholders are essential to overcome challenges and improve access to innovation.
That was the key message conveyed at an International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) event held on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly in Geneva on Tuesday evening. The gathering brought together representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi, government officials and industry leaders to discuss how these partnerships can be strengthened to deliver meaningful impact to people and health systems around the world.
The event featured an interview with David Reddy, former CEO of a malaria pharmaceutical venture company, who was appointed as the new Executive Director of IFPMA in April, succeeding Thomas Cueni. IFPMA, a global pharmaceutical industry association, works with the WHO and other UN agencies and represents more than 90 companies and organizations, including industry giants such as Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, and AstraZeneca.
Reddy, who has been in his new role for less than two months, described drug development as the process of “bringing together information surrounding a molecule,” from animal safety studies to patient behavior to infectious disease treatment to manufacturing quality. This information is then reviewed by regulators to confirm the drug's effectiveness.
The complex nature of drug development requires pharmaceutical companies to work closely with multilateral organizations to ensure the distribution and availability of their medicines, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Yet tensions often arise between the high costs of developing innovative medicines and vaccines and the basic health needs of people who cannot afford them.
This is where partnerships come in: “It's really important to stress that we as an industry can't do this alone. We can only do it in partnership.”
Reddy cited WHO Deputy Director-General Mike Ryan as saying that the World Health Organization and the United Nations health agencies agree on 80 percent of the world's health issues, but may differ on 20 percent. Ryan urged them to focus on the 80 percent agreement to move forward.
“That doesn't mean we should ignore our differences. We should discuss them,” Reddy said, “but remember that we agree on many points.”
The Monoclonal Antibody Revolution
Reddy also spoke about innovation in medicines and vaccines, citing the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine as an example.
“They were there exactly when we needed them, but it was only after 20 years of effort, companies coming together and really accelerating the speed at which we could get these to people so they don't become patients,” Reddy explained. Innovation “just takes time” and money, he said.
Looking to the future, Reddy sees great potential in monoclonal antibodies, conjugated antibodies, mRNA technology and personalised treatments supported by artificial intelligence.
“We live in a monoclonal world. [antibody] “It's a revolution,” he says. “It's not there globally yet. In terms of access, it's something the industry is working on right now.”
AI has the potential to revolutionize drug development by enabling researchers to accurately select potential drug molecules, plot more efficient pathways and drastically shorten development timelines, Reddy added.
Gavi: Partnerships are key as health budgets tighten
Dr. Sania Nishtar, recently appointed CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, also spoke from her perspective about the importance of partnerships, especially in the current context, “a very resource-limited time for global health.”
“Between competing priorities and ongoing conflicts around the world, the G7 has its hands full,” Nishtar said. “Those of us in the global health field need to be clear about this.”
Nishtar's comments came against the backdrop of the WHO's new “investment round” initiative, which aims to raise $7 billion to make the organization's funding more predictable, flexible and sustainable – WHO member states contribute just $4 billion a year in total.
Public health spending across OECD countries increased by 17% in real terms between 2019 and 2021 as governments rapidly allocated resources to respond to the crisis. Prevention spending more than doubled due to widespread testing and vaccination efforts.
However, health spending across OECD countries fell by an average of 1.5% in 2022. Inflation is expected to remain above 5% in 2024, up from less than 2% in 2019, meaning nominal increases will be much smaller.
The pandemic has increased health spending as a share of GDP in low- and middle-income countries, but not as much as in developed countries. This increase is unlikely to be sustained due to the pandemic's impact on revenues and budgets, according to a recent report from the Center for Global Development.
Slow domestic revenue growth is already making it difficult to achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, and without new sources of funding, these targets will be further delayed.
“Last year, 40 countries cut their health spending. Health budgets are falling, not rising,” said Dr Katharina Böhme, WHO's Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Governance. “To harness the potential of science and innovation, we need to focus on creating capacity and securing health financing.”
Nishtar added that partnerships are in Gavi's DNA and the company works closely with WHO, UNICEF and industry to create synergies.
“Solutions can be found if we work together,” she continued, “and we can only work together if we set aside ego, territory, rivalry and narrow-mindedness.”
Image credit: Raisa/Flickr.
Fighting the health infodemic and supporting health policy reporting in the Global South. Our growing network of journalists in Africa, Asia, Geneva and New York connects local realities with bigger global debates with evidence-based, open-access news and analysis. To donate as an individual or organisation, click here via PayPal.
