The Coronavirus outbreak (2019-nCoV) was declared a pandemic by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), responding to the rapid spread of this pathology. This statement shows the dangerous nature of the virus, and the need to find effective treatments and strengthen available healthcare systems, especially in Latin America, which has already started reporting infected people in different countries.
Globally, leadership initiatives have been essential to control COVID-19; in addition to seeking new treatments, partnerships have also been generated with government and international organizations with the aim of having effective patient-centered actions and controlling the spread of this pandemic.
The biopharmaceutical industry in Latin America is co-engaged with global efforts to address those affected, contain the outbreak and develop resources to deal with future outbreaks. Our members’ R&D teams have been researching non-stop for solutions (treatments and vaccines) to counteract the effects of Coronavirus. The actions undertaken have involved joining forces to anticipate the risks of an oscillating market and to keep the supply chain of medicines and pharmaceutical products; at this point, the production and supply of medicines has not been affected.
In addition, the pharmaceutical industry worldwide is providing financial support and donations to different organizations, as well as working closely with health authorities to combat this global public health emergency.
An immediate challenge to innovation
In this scenario, the pharmaceutical industry has demonstrated diligence in each of the actions to control each country’s outbreaks and seek treatments that alleviate symptoms in infected people.
FIFARMA and its members continue working as a team to find solutions for this recent disease.
Clinical trials of other pathogens that have been viral in the past have been reviewed to generate new research from significant findings that may contribute to stop the Coronavirus pandemic.
On the other hand, one of the learnings for the healthcare sector relates to the joint work and shared efforts to reach a solution that serves on any of the five continents, working as a team with governments to take action and structure public health policies.
As the situation evolves, FIFARMA member companies continue prioritizing the continuity of their supply chains and are proactively working to prevent and mitigate any possible scarcity through close coordination with different organizations globally. At this stage, manufacturers have not reported any shortages or delays in production.
To see how the industry’s business work network in the fight against COVID-19 is complemented, we invite you to read the EFPIA statement and enter the coronavirus page created by Pharma, where you can see in detail the contribution that each of the pharmaceutical companies is making to fight coronavirus.
