NAMP becomes global member
In an important announcement for the future of generic medication for the African continent made by the International Generic Pharmaceutical Alliance (IGPA ) management committee at the 11th Annual IGPA Conference held recently in December 2008 in Geneva, the National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (NAPM) was granted observer member status of the IGPA for a period of two years - a prelude to full membership.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Skhumbuzo Ngozwana, Chairman of the NAPM, who presented on behalf of the NAPM at the IGPA conference where the decision was taken; said this was exciting news for South African and Africa. “The IGPA membership will enable us to work together with other member associations on issues of common interest and will facilitate information exchanges; it expands our geographic reach and allows us to tap into the considerable IGPA knowledge base. It opens up immense learning opportunities and gives us an international presence. Through this membership, we will interact at the highest levels with international organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to name a few. Raseela Inderall, the NAPM Executive Director believes, “the international perspective will assist us in our drive to make medicines more affordable and more accessible to all South Africans. The future for generic medicines looks very promising,” she concluded.
The IGPA is an informal network of associations representing global manufacturers of generic medicines. It was founded in March 1997 and consists of the EGA (Europe), CGPA (Canada), GPhA (USA), IPA (India) and JGA (Japan). Brazil, Taiwan and South Africa have observer member status for the mandatory two year period.
The overall objective of the IGPA is to ensure that consumers world wide have access to affordable quality medicines. It works to promote international pharmaceutical harmonization and regulatory decisions in a way that will best benefit the public and strengthen the generic pharmaceutical industry.
The National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers said that this was a welcome development for the South African generic industry. In addition, the NAPM was invited to present on the SA generic industry at the recently held conference and as part of an IGPA delegation, met with the influential DG of the World Health Organisation, Dr Margaret Chan to discuss issues pertinent to the generic industry and access to affordable quality medicines.
National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Tel: (012) 323 7529
Fax: 086 529 4245
Chairman: Dr Skhumbuzo Ngozwana
Editorial contact
Andrea Badenhorst
Cell: 076 811 0233
Tel: 011 791 0444
Fax: 086 639 6893
