Innovative pharmaceutical industry statement on COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health STATEMENT
December 4, 2023
ABPI, EFPIA, Farmindustria, IFPMA, IMC, JPMA, LEEM, PhRMA, vfa
3 DECEMBER 2023, GENEVA – The innovative pharmaceutical industry commends the ambition to address climate change as an urgent health challenge at COP28, including through the agreement of the first ever Declaration on Climate and Health.
Pharmaceutical companies continue to be at the forefront of setting ambitious net-zero and carbon-neutrality targets, acting as part of global initiatives to reduce carbon emissions throughout their operations and value chains. To deliver on these targets, companies are investing in research and development with a view to delivering more environmentally sustainable products, manufacturing processes, and supply chains.
The complex and highly regulated nature of pharmaceutical products means that a high degree of coordination and collaboration between industry, governments, and healthcare systems is required.
As such, collaboration across UN institutions, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), government, civil society, and private sector will be essential in meeting theses ambitions. We therefore welcome the WHO Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) as an important platform for mobilizing the resources, knowledge, and expertise required to effectively address the climate and health crisis.
Investment in science and research, alongside coordinated global cooperation, will continue to be central in delivering on our shared climate commitments and those set out at COP28.
About ABPI
The ABPI exists to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use new medicines. We represent companies of all sizes who invest in discovering the medicines of the future. Our members supply cutting edge treatments that improve and save the lives of millions of people. We work in partnership with Government and the NHS so patients can get new treatments faster and the NHS can plan how much it spends on medicines. Every day, we partner with organisations in the life sciences community and beyond to transform lives across the UK.
About EFPIA
The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) represents the biopharmaceutical industry operating in Europe. Through its direct membership of 36 national
associations, 39 leading pharmaceutical companies and a growing number of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), EFPIA’s mission is to create a collaborative environment that enables our members to innovate, discover, develop, and deliver new therapies and vaccines for people across Europe, as well as contribute to the European economy.
About Farmindustria
Founded in May 1978, Farmindustria is the Italian Association of pharmaceutical companies. It is a member of Confindustria, of the European Federation (EFPIA) and of the International Federation (IFPMA). Its members, Italian and foreign-owned companies operating in Italy, number about 200. The association promotes the value of medicines from a therapeutic, industrial, economic and social standpoint by heightening awareness of pharmaceutical companies and their contribution to the entire economy in terms of research, innovation, and the generation of value. Moreover, it pursues the creation of a stable regulatory environment and a pharmaceutical policy that recognizes the vital role the sector plays in the growth of life sciences in the country.
About IMC
Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) is the national association representing the voice of Canada’s innovative pharmaceutical industry. The association advocates for policies that enable the discovery,
development, and delivery of innovative medicines and vaccines to improve the lives of all Canadians and supports the members’ commitment to being a valued partner in the Canadian
healthcare system. The association represents 47 companies who invest nearly $1.2 billion in R&D annually, fueling Canada’s knowledge-based economy, while contributing $8 billion to Canada’s
economy. Guided by the Code of Ethical Practices, all members work with governments, private payers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner.
About IFPMA
The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) represents over 90 innovative pharmaceutical companies and associations around the world. Our industry’s almost three million employees discover, develop, and deliver medicines and vaccines that advance global health. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community improve the lives of people everywhere.
About JPMA
The Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is a voluntary association comprising 73 research-oriented pharmaceutical companies. JPMA has been contributing to advancing global healthcare through the development of innovative ethical drugs, facilitating sound development of the pharmaceutical industry through proactively establishing policies and recommendations in response to globalization and enhancing public understanding of pharmaceuticals.
About Leem
Leem is the French industry association which represents drug companies operating in France. Leem has over 280 member companies representing a total workforce of 106 000 employees (around 4% of industrial employment in France) and a revenue of €63 billion (of which half are exports). As the interlocutor between industry and policy makers, Leem is the driving force behind proposals to promote France's attractiveness as an industrial hub and to pursue a healthcare policy geared towards patients’ needs.
About PhRMA
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier and more productive lives. Since 2000, PhRMA member companies have invested more than $1.1 trillion in the search for new treatments and cures, including $102.3 billion in 2021 alone.
About VFA
The Association of Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies (VFA) is the trade association of the innovative pharmaceutical industry in Germany. It represents the interests of 49 world's leading manufacturers and more than 100 subsidiaries and affiliated companies in the health, research and economic policy. The members of the VFA up about two-thirds of the German pharmaceutical market and employ approximately 95,000 employees in Germany. 21,000 of whom work in research and development.