Iapg and EuniPharma: “Innovation in healthcare is the flywheel of economic recovery”

The role of research and governance of the pharmaceutical sector to promote the country’s competitiveness; the value of patent protection to promote innovation and production capacity; economic and industrial policy to increase the attractiveness of the country system and competitiveness at a European level: these are the issues addressed at the online round table ‘Innovation in health as a driving force for the country’s economic and social recovery’, an initiative promoted by the Italian American Pharmaceutical Group (Iapg) and the European and Japanese Group of Farmindustria (EUNIPharma). The meeting was attended by Pasquale Frega (president of EUNIPharma); Fabrizio Greco (Iapg president); Angela Ianaro (president of the Science and Health Parliamentary Intergroup); Beatrice Lorenzin (member of the Budget, Treasury and Planning Commission, Chamber of Deputies); Fabio Pammolli (full professor of Economics and Management, Politecnico di Milano); Gilberto Pichetto Fratin (Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economic Development); Carlo Doria (Member XII Permanent Commission on Hygiene and Health, Senate) and Luisa Regimenti (Member of the Commission for the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety-Envi, European Parliament). The Covid-19 pandemic – emerged from the webinar – highlighted the value of health and healthcare as indispensable drivers for the socio-economic well-being of the country. But he also highlighted the need for the country to have a scientific research system and a supply chain for the production and distribution of cutting-edge drugs and devices. In this context, the pharmaceutical sector has a strategic value for the recovery and development of the country and it is therefore important to envisage policies, measures and reforms that increase its competitiveness and attractiveness.