They play an important role in reform discussions and referendum campaigns. But what do the various associations stand for and what is their vision? This series provides an overview. Today we introduce Interpharma and ask its managing director, Dr. Buholzer, a few questions.
Dr. Buholzer, what is currently on your mind?
The growing number of more effective therapies is good news for patients, but the otherwise proven reimbursement system – “one pill for one disease at a standard price” – is reaching its limits when it comes to innovative therapies.
What is your most important political concern?
Our most important concern is to ensure rapid and unrestricted access to innovative treatments and therapies for all patients and to make them financially sustainable. An efficient healthcare system that focuses on quality and rewards innovation is central to our work.
What was Interpharma founded for?
We advocate for conditions in Switzerland and abroad that provide patients with first-class healthcare, reward innovation, and allow the pharmaceutical industry to make a significant contribution to Switzerland’s prosperity, growth, and competitiveness.
What success would you describe as a milestone for the association?
Thanks to our strong commitment, we have been able to win numerous political votes in the past that would have hampered the innovative strength of pharmaceutical companies. At the same time, we are helping to shape solutions. Although the popular initiative “to abolish animal testing” was rejected, the pharmaceutical industry offered to review the requirements for animal testing. As a result, Switzerland now has one of the strictest animal welfare laws, and research-based pharmaceutical companies have committed themselves to applying the highest animal welfare standards, both legally and ethically.
What is your personal motivation for leading the association?
I want to do my part to maintain and further improve the excellent conditions for pharmaceutical companies in Switzerland. This allows these companies to focus on researching and bringing innovative and effective medicines and therapies to market for patients.
Every time patients gain rapid and unrestricted access to a new, innovative, and effective therapy, it is a personal highlight for me. Because that is what we are primarily committed to.
Where should the association go from here?
Interpharma should continue to be a respected and competent dialogue partner and be perceived as an important voice for the export industry. We work in a solution-oriented manner with various stakeholders to ensure the quality of the Swiss healthcare system and sustainable access to innovation.
Founded: March 1933
Number of members: 23 – Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Roche, AbbVie, Allergan, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Lundbeck, Merck, MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme), Pfizer, Sanofi, Takeda, UCB & Vifo
