The Polish Association of Pharmaceutical Industry Employers elected the Management Board

Krzysztof Kopeć remains the president, and the functions of vice-presidents will continue to be performed by Katarzyna Dubno, Barbara Misiewicz-Jagielak and Grzegorz Rychwalski. The union brings together over a dozen of the largest pharmaceutical companies operating in Poland, which supply almost half of the reimbursed drugs purchased in pharmacies.

PZPPF registered its activity on September 2, 2002. Since then, it has represented over a dozen leading domestic drug manufacturers. It strives to introduce rational solutions in the field of drug registration and reimbursement, providing Polish patients with access to modern pharmacotherapy.

- We promote legal regulations ensuring the transparency of the system and compliance with EU law, which take into account the economic conditions of the health care system and the need to increase the production of drugs in Poland. We support fair competition on the drug market and adherence to the Code of Ethics in the field of marketing activities. We remain an active member of the dialogue on the shape of the health care system in Poland - says Krzysztof Kopeć, president of PZPPF.

Domestic drug manufacturers constitute the basis of the country's drug safety by supplying every second reimbursed drug purchased in a Polish pharmacy. However, experts say it is not enough. That is why the Association is striving to implement tools encouraging the location of pharmaceutical production in Poland, which will make our country drug-independent.

- During a pandemic, we proved that we are a responsible partner of the Government in times of crises, ready to make every effort to ensure that Poles do not run out of drugs. It is worth supporting the development of drug production in Poland, because it guarantees our country's sovereignty in this area - says Barbara Misiewicz-Jagielak, vice president of PZPPF.

Domestic drug manufacturers develop and implement on our market drugs that have not been produced in Poland so far, which are needed by millions of Poles. Starting the production of such drugs requires specialized competences, experience, know-how, highly qualified research and development staff and modern plants and is an innovative activity. The domestic pharmaceutical industry is one of the most innovative in Poland (GUS "Innovative activity of enterprises in 2018-2020") and has been in the top three innovation leaders for years.

- Domestic companies spend almost 50% of their profits on research and development. They employ well-educated personnel and cooperate with national scientists and research centers. They not only provide well-paid jobs, but also the opportunity to develop and acquire high competences. And most importantly, these competences remain in the country - emphasizes Katarzyna Dubno, vice-president of PZPPF.

Domestic Drug Manufacturers also contribute to increasing the availability of biological treatment, which in Poland is one of the most limited in the EU. Meanwhile, better access to biological therapies is not only a benefit for patients. It would also allow domestic companies to increase investments in the dynamically developing biotechnology offering the treatment of diseases with which we have not been able to cope with the treatment so far.

Source: PZPPF

- In order to catch up with Europe and achieve a 20-30% level of the percentage of patients treated with biological drugs in autoimmune diseases, their prescription should be made available not only in hospitals, but also in outpatient specialist care and pharmacy reimbursement, while maintaining the presence of these drugs in drug programs - indicates Grzegorz Rychwalski, vice-president of PZPPF.