Patients First, Says Biotech Industry In New Healthcare Manifesto, Belgium

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" Patients First, " Says Biotech Industry In New Healthcare Manifesto, Belgium

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147019.php

EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, announces its new policy

priorities for 2009-2010 in a Healthcare Manifesto published, promoting

Patient-Centred Healthcare Systems (1).

More than 350 million patients to date have benefited from biotechnology-derived

treatments. Biotechnology is enabling the development and manufacturing of

therapies for a number of disease, rare and very rare diseases including genetic

diseases, collectively affecting some 20 to 30 million Europeans and their

families (2). Moreover, modern biotechnology leads to more targeted research

that allows a better understanding of diseases, their causes as well as the

identification of the best responders to new therapies. The Healthcare Manifesto

lays out how EuropaBio will contribute to the process of developing

patient-centred healthcare systems, detailed in four key policy principles

Patients throughout Europe are suffering from intractable and incurable

diseases. Empowering these patients and placing them at the heart of government

level healthcare discussions is the best way to serve their needs provide access

to effective treatments.

The Chairman of EuropaBio's Healthcare Council, Rappagliosi, said:

" EuropaBio's Healthcare Manifesto is our Political Road Map for how to deliver a

patient-centred approach to modern healthcare. This means putting patients first

in Europe and working together with health authorities, payers and reimbursement

agencies in order to ensure timely access to innovative therapies. "

The EuropaBio Healthcare Manifesto addresses the key policy areas involving:

- Communicating the value of biotechnology innovation for healthcare systems.

- Promoting Europe as the leading research hub for biotechnology and life

sciences in the world.

- Supporting the European Union in delivering on its vision for access to orphan

medicinal products for all patients affected by rare diseases.

- Promoting reward for innovation.

- Sensitivity about and understanding of bio-ethical issues and values.

" Biotech is able to bring new solutions to old problems. Industry, scientists

and patients are natural allies in supporting innovation and medical

breakthroughs, " said Willy De Greef, Secretary General of EuropaBio. " Our

Healthcare Manifesto clarifies EuropaBio's policy goals and gives our Healthcare

Council a strong position when working with policy makers. "