‘PhRMAG Forum 2017’ will kick off in Dubai this Thursday

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of the Dubai Health Authority, Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers Association Gulf Forum – ‘PhRMAG 2017’ will begin this Thursday 7th of December, 2017 at Shangri La Hotel in Dubai for the first time, under the theme ‘Enhancing Knowledge Based Economy to Advance Human Health’.

 ‘PhRMAG Forum 2017’ will bring together private and public sector stakeholders to examine the most pressing issues concerning patients, healthcare providers and the biopharmaceutical sector while also exploring the role of innovative medicines in terms of saving lives, reducing mortality rates and mitigating expensive hospitalizations for patients. 

As a non-profit trade group the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association Gulf - ‘PhRMAG’ comprises of 22 leading biopharmaceutical companies and aims to promote the legitimate research, educational and economic activities of the Pharmaceutical industry while also making efforts to build valuable partnerships with both public and private industry in the UAE and Middle East.

 ‘PhRMAG Forum 2017’ in Dubai is expected to witness the participation of nearly 200 delegates while 10 expert speakers and specialists coming from the UAE and abroad will primarily focus on the ‘Value of partnership between PhRMAG and various other key stakeholders’ in delivering the best quality healthcare systems for patients in the UAE.

While commenting on the importance of hosting their first ‘PhRMAG Forum’ in Dubai, Dr. Yacoub Haddad, Chairman of the PhRMAG Forum 2017, said, “We at PhRMAG, always aim to conduct effective advocacy for public health and pharmaceutical industrial policies that encourage access to innovative and important medicines for patients introduced by research based companies. To accomplish this mission, we are dedicated to focus on achieving these 3 goals: Promoting the value of the industry, addressing market irregularities and nourishing partnership with key industry stakeholders.”

Among the activities at the PhRMAG Forum 2017 this year, includes a key speech by His Excellency Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Policy and Licensing Sector, UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, MOHP, who will offer his insights on the topic ‘The innovative biopharmaceutical industry invests in Research & Development and capital improvements, what are the opportunities for the Gulf Countries in this strategic, dynamic sector?’, under the theme ‘‘The Value of Innovative Medicines’.

Other topics to be explored during the same session, includes a Footprint Report by PWC Partner, a Biopharmaceutical Competitiveness Report by David Torstensson, a partner with Pugatch Consilium, Washington DC, a key session on ‘Knowledge Based Economy - UAE Perspective’ by Dr. Mohammed Yousif Baniyas, Executive Director Higher Education at the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and Professor of Pharmacology & Therapeutics at the College of Medicine, UAE University. This is followed by a panel discussion on ‘Untapped potential and what can Industry Partnership bring to the table?’.

In another session, ‘PhRMAG Forum 2017’ in Dubai will also play host to a key discussion on ‘The impact of innovative medicines and vaccines on patients and the healthcare system’, unveiling a new study by Dr. Frank R. Lichtenberg, Courtney C. Brown Professor of Business at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, New York. The study will examine the impact of new drug launches on longevity in 9 Middle Eastern & African Countries, 2007 - 2015

The Forum will also include a session by Peter Pitts, President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, New York, who will speak on ‘Partnerships from Global Perspective’ and ‘How countries are drawing the most value out of innovative medicines and attracting more investment and employment from this innovative, high value-added sector’, being held under the theme, ‘Value of PhRMAG as a Partner to Stakeholders in the Gulf Healthcare Arena’.

‘PhRMAG Forum 2017’ is organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions – a member of INDEX Holding, and it is supported by the Dubai Health Authority & Ministry of Health and Prevention.