PharmaFutures reports on unmet need

The global pharma industry must work with healthcare providers to ensure that vital medical research translates into affordable drugs for priority health needs, according to a report by the PharmaFutures project.

The report, Shared Value: Rebuilding Pharma's Contract with Society, the fourth report of the PharmaFutures project, identifies a growing mismatch between unmet patient need and R&D, driven by changes in what society is willing to pay for and concerns among investors about the return on investment.

Sophia Tickell, PharmaFutures director, said: "The industry's social contract is under severe strain. There is an urgent need for new treatments for antibiotics and diseases like Alzheimer's. It is in the interest of patients, healthcare providers, industry and pension holders to work together to create the best model for bringing new drugs to market."

The initial PharmaFutures project was founded in 2003 and is coordinated by Meteos, a non-profit company that facilitates investor-led dialogues and cross-sector networks that explore long-term value creation across critical sectors.