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Interfarma | About us
About us | Interfarma
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PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

Founded in 1990, we are a non-profit sector entity, representing the national and international companies and researchers responsible for health innovation in Brazil.

Our members seek, through innovation, to promote and encourage the development of the industry of scientific and technological research in the country, medication and products to improve the health of the population.

The minimum requirements to be part of our entity are: 1. Carry out radical research and 2. Follow our Code of Practice.

Researchers, institutions, foundations, universities, institutes, start-ups and even individuals can be members. For more information, check Interfarma’s  Social Statute.

Interfarma | About us
Interfarma in the Brazilian Market

Interfarma in the Brazilian Market

Our members have accounted for at least half of the domestic pharmaceutical market for over ten years. From 2017 to 2021, the average percentage of participation was 46% (Interfarma Guide 2022), according to turnover published in commercial reports for the pharmaceutical industry.

Patient Support Programs (PSPs) are another way of expanding and improving access to drugs and treatments in Brazil. According to data from the 2020 Sustainability Report, in 2019, 68% of companies (21 of the 31 that responded) have programs of
this type and 90% of them adopt practices that allow patient satisfaction evaluation regarding service within the program. Twelve associates invested R$ 4.6 million and more than 10 million people benefitted from these programs.

In addition to this, research and innovation are in the DNA of the pharmaceutical industry. In 2019, the amount invested by 19 associates was US$ 80.1 billion worldwide. In Brazil, 12 associates invested R$ 657 million. There were 483 molecule
development programs and projects (pre-clinical research and clinical research) by 15 associates and 183 clinical studies, with investments of more than R$ 573.4 million, in Brazil.

Through our associates, we also contribute to campaigns on the correct use of drugs, the importance of vaccination, among others. In 2019, 77% of companies had structured educational programs, geared towards health professionals, for example. In
all, 105,951 health professionals were reached with initiatives carried out in the year.

Data from 2019 reflect the years of efforts made by companies for more diversity, mainly concerning gender. From 2017 to 2019, there was a significant growth, with 49% of employees being men and 51% women, whereas in 2017, 57% were men and
43% women. Also, according to the 2020 Sustainability Report, taking into account the companies who replied, 37% of the Administrative Council were women, and 3% were black. In leadership positions, considering coordination level and above, there was an increase in female participation. In 2019, women accounted for 52% of leadership positions, as against 23% in 2017.

 

Interfarma | PURPOSE AND ACTION

PURPOSE AND ACTION

Purpose: Promote innovation and improvement in Brazilian health through sustainable solutions.
Create favorable conditions for innovation, always with ethics and transparency in processes and relationships.
Action: Propose joint solutions for the sustainability of health systems, facilitating the population’s access to quality of life, with prevention, treatment, and cure.
Contribute to the generation of innovation for society and the development of the country.

CORPORATIVE GOVERNANCE

CHARTER OF PRINCIPLES

On its 25th anniversary, in 2015, Interfarma published the Charter of Principles and publicly assumed the commitment to look out for health and quality of life of Brazilian patients.
We are also committed to following the most rigorous standards of ethics and transparency, based on foundations considered permanent and irrevocable.

CODE OF PRACTICE AND ETHICS

CODE
OF PRACTICE
AND ETHICS

Our Code of Practice guides the relation between pharmaceutical companies associated to INTERFARMA, other adherent organizations and professionals in the health area, with an effective self-regulating channel.   

In 2007, we became the first entity in the pharmaceutical sector to have a code of practice to guide this relation. Its content is totally founded on such values as ethics, trust, transparency and integrity, with a view to the well-being of society and with the patient at the center of this care.      

The code is revised periodically and, since 2012, has helped the understanding of good practices with the medical class, established in partnership with the CFM (Federal Medical Council), the AMB (Brazilian Medical Association) and the SBC (Brazilian Society of Cardiology). This approval was fundamental for the transformation of our Code of Practice into a reference for Healthcare Compliance in Brazil. It is recognized not only by the pharmaceutical sector, but also by other segments of the Health Sector.     

Up to the launching of Code of Practice in current use (revised 2016), we were the first Pharmaceutical Industry Association to have an independent Ethics Committee, made up of internal and external members, an Internal Affairs department and a Conciliation sphere. This gives us total Independence regarding decisions made by us.   

In 2019, a new revision of this document was begun, which will be launched in the first semester of 2021.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

INTERFARMA is made up of a Board of Directors that has 16 General Managers from the associated companies, of which six are part of the Management Committee, the group responsible for assisting in decisions and adapting activities to the Entity’s governance system.

We also have a Fiscal Council made up of professionals appointed by the associates and an executive team responsible for implementing the strategic plan defined throughout the year by the Board of Directors.

Associates

Associates

Interfarma | Become an associate

Become an associate