COMING TOGETHER
PHRMA MEMBER COMPANIES TACKLE COVID-19 FROM ALL ANGLES by MIKE YBARRA As someone who works both in the biopharmaceutical so that seriously impacted communities are receiving industry and as an emergency physician, I love being necessities like face masks, diagnostic tests, and other involved in two spaces that are playing critical roles in the medical supplies. Millions of dollars of direct monetary and COVID-19 response. I’m inspired by PhRMA member in-kind contributions are being used to support organizations companies who are stepping up to fight this crisis in the at the heart of the crisis who can have an immediate impact labs and living the principles we all set forth, like screening for infected patients and impacted communities. our vast global libraries of medicines to identify potential Biopharmaceutical manufacturers are also donating treatments and expanding our medicines that may be effective members’ unique in treating patients with manufacturing capabilities. coronavirus. These medicines, The biopharmaceutical which are approved for other industry is leaving no stone diseases, could decrease the unturned. burden of the virus on hospitals PhRMA members are by reducing the length and working around the clock severity of disease in patients. to research and develop new We’re also hearing from experts vaccines and treatments, as at our companies on topics well as test existing medicines like antimicrobial resistance to help those infected with and impacted vulnerable the virus. A number of populations during this time. treatments and vaccines are Finally, the in development, with more biopharmaceutical industry is than 650 clinical trials already donating time. Three companies underway. Researchers are recently announced that they are working on new antiviral empowering employees with Dr. Mike Ybarra medications to interfere with medical or laboratory expertise ways the virus infects cells and to completely or partially pause reproduces. Antibody-based their current roles and volunteer A number of treatments and drugs may be able to mobilize their medical skills to help their vaccines are in development, the immune system against local health care organizations. with more than 650 clinical the virus. Other treatments The companies will support being tested would help better their efforts by maintaining trials already underway. the members’ base pay and manage conditions that are providing full benefits. associated with coronavirus. I am proud that so many And companies are taking multiple approaches to find a vaccine, as more “shots on biopharmaceutical companies are working as hard as they can to solve this crisis as fast as possible. We need goal” will increase the chances of success. Companies are also exploring ways to leverage existing all companies collaborating to beat COVID-19. It’s not technologies that provide the ability to rapidly scale up company versus company rushing to be the first to market. production once a potential vaccine candidate or treatment Rather, we’re all united in the fight against this virus. And I RF is identified. And we are working with governments and think we can do it. insurers to ensure that when new treatments and vaccines are Dr. Mike Ybarra is an emergency physician in Washington, D.C. approved they will be available and affordable for patients. The industry is contributing to those on the frontlines by and Vice President of Medical Affairs and Strategic Alliances at providing medical supplies and personal protective equipment PhRMA. Learn more at PhRMA.org/coronavirus. 30
RIPON FORUM May 2020
