Vital debate at Pharma Integrates 2016

Tue, 29/11/2016 - 10:26

The 5th annual Pharma Integrates conference saw industry leaders from across the UK and Europe meet to debate the challenges and opportunities faced by the Pharmaceutical industry today. Led by over 70 prestigious speakers, joined by 250 senior industry executives, established paradigms were challenged and new operational models for the industry were discussed.

Putting patients first

A prevailing theme was ‘putting the patient first’. During his closing remarks, Prof. Trevor Jones, CBE, member of the board of eTherapeutics and Chairman of Simbec Orion Research, observed that “Involving the patient at every stage of the drug discovery and development process is critical to the future of the pharmaceutical industry.” Lonza’s Jesus Zurdo commented “We need to redefine the role of the clinician and the patient to identify and address unmet medical needs.”

The challenges of Brexit

The newly introduced one-on-one interviews were a great success in creating a space for leading industry voices to be heard. During questioning, Prof. Guido Rasi, Executive Director, European Medicines Agency (EMA), voiced concerns of “losing expert staff if, as widely expected, the regulator is forced to decamp from London”, reported Reuters. Future disruption of the industry was a commonly voiced concern following Britain’s vote to leave the European Union (EU). However, for some this prospect was not unwelcome. When asked about issues currently facing the Pharma Industry Martin Lush, President, NSF Health Sciences, Pharma Biotech Consulting, commented: “There’s no doubt that we’re facing a complex problem, but there is adequate intelligence in the industry to fix it, providing there is a willingness to do so, which comes from an understanding of who the overall winners should be. It’s time for change, brutal change.”

An energetic atmosphere of innovation and progress ran through the two-day event, with delegates and speakers giving very positive feedback on the value of Pharma Integrates as an established and important annual event. I speak for many who were there in looking forward to Pharma Integrates 2017. 

Emma Pickup, Account Executive, Sciad Communications