Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is a trade association that represents the pharmaceutical industry in the United States, with members including Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Merck & Co., and Eli Lilly and Company. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and is led by Stephen J. Ubl, who has been the President and CEO since 2015, previously working with AdvaMed and The Advanced Medical Technology Association. The organization's members also include Biogen, Gilead Sciences, and UnitedHealth Group, among others, such as AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, and GlaxoSmithKline.

● History

The organization was founded in 1958 as the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PMA), with the goal of promoting the interests of the pharmaceutical industry in the United States. In 1994, the organization changed its name to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) to reflect the growing importance of research and development in the industry, with support from National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration. Over the years, PhRMA has played a key role in shaping the healthcare policy landscape in the United States, working with organizations such as American Medical Association, American Hospital Association, and Kaiser Family Foundation. PhRMA has also worked closely with Congress, The White House, and Department of Health and Human Services to advocate for policies that support the development of new medicines and treatments, including Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and 21st Century Cures Act.

● Organization

PhRMA is a non-profit organization that is governed by a board of directors composed of senior executives from its member companies, including Roche Holding, Sanofi, and Novartis. The organization has a number of committees and working groups that focus on specific issues, such as intellectual property, regulatory affairs, and public policy, with input from World Health Organization, European Medicines Agency, and National Academy of Medicine. PhRMA also has a number of partnerships with other organizations, including The National Health Council, The American Cancer Society, and The Alzheimer's Association, as well as American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

● Advocacy

PhRMA is a strong advocate for policies that support the development of new medicines and treatments, including orphan drugs and biosimilars, with support from European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations. The organization has been a leading voice in the debate over prescription drug prices, arguing that price controls and other forms of government intervention could stifle innovation and limit access to new treatments, as seen in Canada and United Kingdom. PhRMA has also been a strong supporter of intellectual property protections, including patents and trade secrets, with input from United States Patent and Trademark Office and World Intellectual Property Organization.

● Membership

PhRMA's members include many of the largest and most well-known pharmaceutical companies in the world, including AbbVie, Amgen, and Celgene, as well as Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Incyte. The organization's members also include a number of smaller biotechnology companies, such as Gilead Sciences and Biogen, as well as Illumina, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Illumina. PhRMA's members are committed to developing new medicines and treatments that improve the lives of patients around the world, with partnerships with Duke University, Stanford University, and University of California, San Francisco.

● Criticisms_and_controversies

PhRMA has faced criticism and controversy over the years, particularly with regard to its role in shaping healthcare policy and its impact on prescription drug prices, with scrutiny from Congressional Budget Office, Government Accountability Office, and Federal Trade Commission. Some critics have argued that PhRMA's advocacy efforts are too focused on the interests of its member companies, rather than the needs of patients, with concerns raised by Public Citizen, AARP, and Families USA. Others have criticized PhRMA's stance on issues such as intellectual property and trade agreements, arguing that the organization's positions are too extreme and could limit access to medicines in developing countries, as seen in India and South Africa.

● Policy_positions

PhRMA has taken a number of policy positions over the years, including support for free trade agreements and opposition to price controls on prescription drugs, with input from United States Trade Representative and Office of the United States Trade Representative. The organization has also been a strong supporter of medical innovation, including the development of new orphan drugs and biosimilars, with partnerships with National Organization for Rare Disorders and Biosimilars Forum. PhRMA has also advocated for policies that promote patient access to medicines, including Medicare and Medicaid, with support from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, PhRMA has worked with World Trade Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use to promote global healthcare and pharmaceutical policies.

Category:Pharmaceutical industry