The role of the pharmaceutical industry during COVID19

You might have noticed that recently I have been posting more about the pharmaceutical industry and in particular, what needs to happen on a European and global level to #keepmedicinesmoving. While it might seem at times repetitive, there is a reason why this is such an important topic right now, in the heat of the COVID19 crisis.

Many different sectors and businesses have been impacted, there is no doubt about it. Our industry has also had to adapt, in particular ensuring our colleagues are able to continue going to work in safe conditions, so they can keep on producing vital medicines for the millions of people who rely on them every day outside of any additional impact from COVID-19. Therein lies the challenge!

In normal times it can be easy to downplay or forget the important role of medicines in people’s lives as we tend to take it for granted. When suddenly hit by a global pandemic the reality hits much closer to home: as an industry we are supplying medicine for hundreds of millions of people who need them on a daily basis. It’s not just business as usual now but we need to ensure we continue caring for the people living with chronic illnesses who need medication and who are facing difficult times, as well as hospitals who rely on countless types of medication to support their invaluable work.

A lot is happening across the board, with the pharmaceutical industry recognizing a shared responsibility to support those who need us, all while driving innovation. The three key areas of focus are: ensuring supply of medicines, supporting governments and health systems, and the search for vaccines, diagnostics and treatments.

And it doesn’t stop there. Have you ever thought of what it takes for a pill to reach you? The crucial ingredients need to be manufactured and are then often shipped to another factory to be transformed into the finished medicine. Once it’s made in the factory, it has to be packaged, shipped and then starts to travel across countries to reach the pharmacy shelf – in the community or in hospitals around the world.

Let’s put that into context of the current COVID19 pandemic.

1.     “Medicines as usual”

The majority of us continue to live aspects of our lives as before (where possible) which includes managing whatever pre-existing medical conditions we have. From asthma, to multiple sclerosis, migraine or cancer, people require regular treatments that help them manage their disease, that they still need to receive. The healthcare systems are doing all they can to continue paying attention to those patients, who still need support. Sustaining the ongoing supply of medicines for patients around the world is crucial.  

2.     Medicines for COVID19 patients

We then have the exceptional case of people being hospitalized and treated for COVID19. This includes a host of different medicines and equipment which all vary per patient, their state, medical history and more. Since the pandemic is unfolding at unprecedented speed, strain is put on these resources as they need to be produced in greater quantity and faster than ever before.

3.     Finding a treatment for COVID19

Last but not least, the pharmaceutical industry has rallied around global efforts to care for those affected, contain the outbreak and develop resources to treat and find a cure to COVID19 in order to  tackle future outbreaks.

The industry has mobilized quickly to help respond to this health challenge, taking measures within its power to ensure medicines are supplied consistently and equitably. And we have welcomed support from the European Commission and the trade associations that support us. We know it needs a collective effort to tackle this unprecedented health crisis. It truly is a global effort to not only ensure patients get their medicines, but that everyone stays safe.

As you can imagine, it takes more than business as usual to keep those three work streams alive and fully functional. We are going the extra mile, making an effort to contribute the best we can to the solidarity efforts such as producing increased quantities of the critical medicines to the maximum of our capacity and other ancillary efforts such as producing hand sanitizer in our factories where it is possible.

Keeping medicines moving

In light of all the amazing work being done, we need to ensure medicines can keep moving across borders and reach those who need them.

It will probably come as no surprise to you that with various lockdowns in place across the world and restrictions on travel, this has impacted logistics for medicines. This can make it more difficult for us to ensure we get medicine to those who need it. The green lanes have tremendously helped in securing the free movement of essential goods across Europe.

For the time being, the implementation of export bans within the EU and national stockpiling are worrying.   According to one of our trade associations EFPIA “[…]. “No one country can meet all its needs on its own, and through restrictions, countries risk isolating themselves and their citizens from the global supply network,”. Therefore I welcome the EU Guidance on Optimization of Supply of Medicines which calls for the removal of export bans and am looking forward to its implementation.  

In the EU, EFPIA and Medicines for Europe are working hard with the European Commission on a coordinated EU response. To quote Medicines for Europe, we need “close coordination between the European Medicines Agency member states and our industry. […] This requires borders to be kept open and that no artificial market supply disruptions are created.”

Having dedicated my career to the pharmaceutical industry and being married to a pharmacist, the challenge we are facing feels close to home. I’ve always felt incredibly proud of being able to help patients through our work, using it as a guiding principle in everything I do.

That’s why it’s important for me to not only raise awareness about some of the hurdles we are encountering, but also to get involved in taking on these challenges. Part of this is asking for support in sharing this message so it reaches a greater audience. We’ve already seen that together we are stronger, through countless acts of support around the world. The same goes for our industry and government responses: by working together we can ensure a faster, more coordinated approach from which everyone can benefit.

Please join me in ensuring we can keep medicines moving, by sharing these important messages in your network and beyond. For governments and the European Commission this must remain top of their agenda.