The IFPMA (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations) said it was invited to attend a special session of the United Nations (UN) in Geneva on health in Africa and other least developed countries, organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission (ECOSOC). Michael D. Boyd, Acting Director General of the IFPMA, gave “a briefing on the research-based pharmaceutical industry’s contribution to improving health in the developing world, speaking to an audience which included foreign ministers of UN Member States and senior UN officials.”  Mr. Boyd commented, “A quiet transformation has been going on over the last decade or so, strengthening links between the developed world and least developed countries, especially in the area of health. As a single industry sector, the IFPMA’s member companies have made an unprecedented contribution to improving health in the countries which have the greatest needs.” IFPMA said that since the inception of the UN Millennium Development Goals, through to the end of 2007, “IFPMA member companies made available enough medical assistance to reach nearly 2 billion people in low and middle income countries – assistance conservatively valued at USD 9.2 billion.” Further details are available at  www.ifpma.org/healthpartnerships Geneva, 8 July 2009

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