INTERFARMA – WHO WE ARE

Interfarma - Brazilian Research-based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association - is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 to represent national and international Brazil-based pharmaceutical companies, who either develop their own research-based products or are duly licensed to manufacture, import or sell goods for pharmaceutical use (chemical inputs, raw materials, medications and related drugs) . Today, Interfarma gathers 27 pharmaceutical laboratories.

One of Interfarma’s main goals is to protect international intellectual property rights and the rights established in the Brazilian patent law. In addition, the Association represents its members in Brazil’s public and private agencies to secure the interests of the country’s pharmaceutical sector.

Interfarma’s associate members believe their responsibility is to invest in research and production of groundbreaking drugs which benefit human life. It is worth mentioning that the pharmaceutical industry worldwide invests around 20% of its sales in research and development of new drugs, and $49,7 billion are estimated for the sector in 2003. The invention and development of a new drug costs on average $800 million and can take up to 12 years of research work. From an average 10 thousand molecules researched throughout the world, only one becomes an approved drug and reaches the market.

In the last few years, Interfarma has carried out ongoing exchange and cooperation programs with other research-based entities both in Brazil and overseas. It has also provided orientation for public and private institutions such as universities, research centers, hospitals, etc. Interfarma’s chief goal nowadays is to act as an incentive for Brazil to become an attractive site for research and production of new drugs. Since 1996, when the Brazilian patent law was first introduced, the research-based pharmaceutical industry in the country has made substantial investments in improvement of operational infrastructure, expansion of its industrial park, adoption of new technologies, among others.

Another very important scope of Interfarma’s activities is the promotion to a wide range of publics of the value and function of medical/pharmaceutical research..

Interfarma is a representative member of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA) and also the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).