Forum to Focus on Pharmaceutical Innovation in the Face of Drug Reimportation 4/16/2004
From: Maria Firvida of AstraZeneca, 302-886-1807 or 302-354-5540 (cell), or maria.firvida@astrazeneca.com News Advisory: WHAT: -- "Innovation and Drug Reimportation: The Cost, the Value, the Trade-Offs" -- A Forum and Special "Media Q&A" to Focus on Pharmaceutical Innovation in the Face of Drug Reimportation Looking beyond issues of counterfeiting and medication safety, this summit will focus on the potential impact of drug reimportation on medical innovation, often an overlooked risk. Internationally renowned academic economists with significant health care policy research will share original studies, in depth observations, and insightful speculations on the reversible and non-reversible effects of drug reimportation. Selected experts, whose lives' work are dedicated to research on intellectual property, innovation, and pricing theory have also agreed to participate in a special Q&A for media and guests. These experts are committed to translating the economic and policy subtleties related to this politically sensitive issue. WHO: Hosted by The University of Michigan's Center for Medication Use, Policy & Economics, the Center was founded in 1999 to complement the University of Michigan's College of Pharmacy and the Medical Center. Its primary mission is to enhance responsible use of pharmaceutical therapies through outcomes and policy research. Panelists who will participate in the Q&A include: -- Michael Dickson, Ph.D., professor, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina -- Differentials in international pharmaceutical expenditures -- Robert A. Freeman, Ph.D., executive director, Public Policy, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals -- Pharmaceutical perspective; probable impact of widespread importation -- Robert Helms, Ph.D., resident scholar, American Enterprise Institute -- Economics of price regulation and innovation -- Nancy Mattison, Ph.D., president, The Mattison Group -- European experience with parallel imports Additionally, Dr. Patrick L. McKercher, director of the Center for Medication Use, Policy & Economics, will be available for interviews before and after the conference. WHEN: April 19-20 WHERE: April 19, J.W. Marriott Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. April 20, National Press Club, Edward R. Murrow Room, 529 14th St., N.W., Washington, D.C., Media Q&A: 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. WHY: To provide an opportunity to explore the pharmaceutical industry's reliance on the integrity of intellectual property and significant investment and what it means for innovation. CONTACT: Maria Firvida, senior manager, Public Affairs, AstraZeneca, phone: 302-886-1807; Cell: 302-354-5540; Email: maria.firvida@astrazeneca.com Full conference agenda available upon request. |