Committee members are Paul Anley, previous chairperson and CEO of Pharma Dynamics, Gaurav Jain CEO of Zydus, Muhammad Bodhania, CEO of Medreich, Suhail Gani, CEO of Austell Laboratories, Kingsley Tloubatla, CEO of the Bliss Group, Anita Smal, Director of Abex Pharmaceutica and Vivian Frittelli, CEO of the NAPM.
The exco has been tasked with strengthening the association's strategic position within the pharmaceutical industry, whilst representing the interests of its members and the broader public. Established in 1977, NAPM comprises generics-based pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. Its primary objective remains championing access to quality affordable medicines for all South Africans.
Speaking on his new role as chairperson, Brothers said, "Globally governments grapple with the ever-increasing healthcare demands being placed by an expanding and rapidly changing healthcare environment and South Africa is no different. A key function of exco will be to look at how we can best utilise the expertise and strengths of our members, to ensure that when we engage with government and other role players, we influence the sector in a constructive manner that enhances access to medicines for all our citizens.
"Currently the association's pricing committee is working on submissions to assist government with realistic pricing policies that will keep the industry sustainable and ensure that access to generic medicines remains affordable. Through our representation on and secretaryship of the industry technical group, we will continue to engage with the secretariat of the Medicines Control Council to improve the input and output of the regulatory processes.
In his review at the AGM, outgoing chair, Anley added that the country was benefitting by savings realised through the use of generic medicines, but noted that more could be done to accelerate this. "To this end it was important that the government presses ahead with its reforms to the intellectual property laws." The NAPM is also pleased with the double-digit growth in the generic market, which recorded a year-end growth rate (MAT) of 10.3%, with a unit growth of 4.2%. The ethical market on the however recorded a much slower growth rate of 2.3% (MAT), a clear indication of the increased up take of generic medicines. The market share of generics (MAT) has grown to 35.7% while the volume market share is now as high as 63%.
During the next year, the association will endeavour to expand its influence at both a policy and strategic level to contribute and inform government's healthcare policies and reforms proactively. Through its various specialist committees, the association will further provide leadership and insight on legislative, scientific and technical, pricing, trade and tender issues.
Brothers concludes, "I am excited to take on the role as chair and am confident that the diverse expertise of the newly appointed exco members will be invaluable, as we focus on developing strategies that support quality and standardization of the generics sector to ensure that our members are able to operate in an environment that is fair and equitable."
NAPM, alongside The US, Canadian, Japanese, European and Jordanian generic associations, is a member of the management committee of the International Generic Pharmaceutical Alliance. For more information, go to www.napm.co.za.
