Vienna, 11 October 1996 -- At the occasion of the 18th IFPMA Assembly, held 9-11 October 1996 in Vienna (Austria), the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA) has elected Mr. Seán Lance, Managing Director of Glaxo Wellcome plc, President for the upcoming two years. Mr. Lance succeeds Mr. Richard Kogan, President and Chief Executive Officer, Schering Plough Corporation (USA).
Born and educated in Pretoria (South Africa), Mr. Lance entered in the pharmaceutical industry in 1967. He joined Glaxo South Africa (Pty) Limited in 1985 as Managing Director and in 1989 he was appointed Managing Director of Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK. In March 1993, Mr Lance was appointed as an Executive Director of Glaxo Holdings plc and in 1995 he was given responsibility for Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Technical Operations. Mr. Lance is a past Vice President of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). He is also a director of the British Pharma Group (BPG).
The 18th IFPMA Assembly focused upon issues and challenges facing the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Under the theme "Developing Health Care Systems in Eastern and Central Europe", 260 participants from international pharmaceutical companies, IFPMA Member Associations, health professionals and national health authorities, from 44 countries, including representatives of 13 Central and Eastern Nations, have discussed during three days on how pharmaceutical industry and governments may work together for progress in health care, for the benefit of patients. In his opening speech, past IFPMA President Richard Kogan declared that "the IFPMA membership is ready to work with you and the governments you represent in developing health care policies that will be innovative, cost-effective and efficient. We know from experience that modern medicines are a significant component of a sound health care system and we believe that the pharmaceutical industry can be a valuable partner to you in creating the kind of market and regulatory environment that will serve the needs of your citizens and strengthen your economies." In conclusion, Mr. Kogan called for a renewed sense of partnership between the pharmaceutical industry and the countries present at the conference, proposing the creation in each nation represented here today of a Government/Industry Strategic Work Group on Health Care."
The IFPMA Conference was split in three sessions and a debate. The first session, chaired by Dr. George C. Butler, Head International Regulatory Department Zeneca Pharmaceuticals (UK), and Dr. Endre Ludwig, Head Department of Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology Peterfy Hospital Hungary, was on Quality Medicines for Health Care: joint responsibilities of repilators and industry stressing regulation, information and medicines; the second session, chaired by Mr. John L.E. Seidler, General Manager Pfizer s.r.o. Czech Republic, and Mr. Seán Lance, was on Restructuring Health Care Delivery Systems emphasising policy and economics, and quality of service; the third session, chaired by Professor Stuart R. Walker, Director Centre for Medicines Research (UK) and Dr. Manfred Karobath, Executive Vice President Rhone Poulenc Rorer (France), was on Innovation The debate called: How can industry and government work together for better health care ?, was moderated by Dr. Philip J. Brown, Publisher and Managing Director SCRIP, World Pharmaceutical News (UK).
In his incoming speech, IFPMA President Séan Lance observed that the IFPMA Conference has made "an excellent contribution" to the resolution of challenges faced by Central and Eastern Europe. He said that "the research-based pharmaceutical industry is very interested in promoting the successful development of health care systems in the region, because we know that our medicines have a vital role to play in improving public health... Improving public health is a key ingredient in successful economic development and as economies develop, their people choose to spend more of their resources on health care."
Created in 1968 as a non-profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO), the IFPMA represents the research-based pharmaceutical industry and other manufacturers of prescription medicines worldwide. The members of IFPMA are national pharmaceutical industry associations in over 50 countries in both the industrialised and developing countries. The Federation is the main channel of communication between this sector of the industry and the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as other international organisations that are concerned with health-related issues. It also has a central role in the exchange of information within the international industry and in the development of position statements on matters of health policy.
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