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EspañolMomentum builds as patients' groups unite across Latin America
NEWS RELEASE: For immediate release, 27 August 2015
70 key healthcare individuals from across Latin America met in Panama this week to discuss some of the biggest challenges facing patients today.On 24 and 25 August, patients’ groups representing different causes and conditions met with academics, pharmaceutical industry figures and healthcare professionals to discuss the innovations sweeping across Latin America and the regulations that will follow.
The meeting, hosted by the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), explored how innovations such as biosimilar medicines are permanently changing the healthcare landscape and impacting thousands of lives. Patients and professionals have more choice and decisions to make about their care than ever before.
Participants at the meeting agreed that all innovation must be accompanied with up-to-date, accurate regulation which ensures patients’ rights – including safety and access – come above all else. Kawaldip Sehmi, Chief Executive Officer of IAPO, said:
‘These exciting changes in Latin America must go hand in hand with regulations which put patients first. We are delighted that patients’ groups, industry and academics recognise this and are committed to the same goal: improving the lives of patients in Latin America.’
The patient voice has been building across the continent. Representatives from 13 countries including Brazil, Peru and Chile came together for the meeting and are increasingly working together across diseases, causes and nations.
More and more organizations from different backgrounds are standing together in the name of patients and ushering in a new era where the patient plays a bigger part in healthcare.
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Notes to editors
The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) is a unique global alliance representing patients of all nations across all disease areas. We work to promote patient-centred healthcare around the world. With over 250 members, IAPO represents an estimated 365 million patients.
For more information, please contact Ian Ford, Communications Officer, International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations at ian@iapo.org.uk or +44 20 7250 8280
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