Bangkok--Sep 29--Breakthrough PR.
Association Underlines the Establishment of PReMA Research Awards
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PReMA) introduces itself today as the newly renamed organization representing and advancing the interests of Thailand's research-based pharmaceutical industry.
The inauguration of PReMA is the result of a major re-branding initiative undertaken by the Pharmaceutical Producers Association (PPA), the predecessor of PReMA which has been established for more than three decades.
"We, as the PPA, have had good years, but we are not done yet in our journey. Redefining the direction of the Association under the new identity of PReMA is a significant step going forward. It's an inevitable step we need to take to truly reflect and reaffirm our commitment to the healthcare of the Thai people," according to Mr. Phornvit Phacharintanakul, President of PReMA.
Moreover, he said the Association would be better positioned to maximize both the challenges and opportunities of the future. Mr. Phornvit noted that pharmaceutical research and development plays an immensely important role in the industry and the world at large. While an ever increasing cost of financing the discovery and development of new drugs remain an enormous challenge for the industry, and not least the risks entailed in the production of highly effective drugs, pharmaceutical innovation is very much in the spotlight and is most critical to the quest for a new generation of medical therapies for a broad range of human diseases.
“Research-based companies are at the forefront in the search for new and better medicines. Thanks to their initiatives, R&D has grown increasingly important in driving expansion and sustaining the competitive strength of the research based industry as a whole," he said.
In creating PReMA, the Association is now well positioned to widen its scope of interests while strengthening its position in the industry for the best interests of its members. "PReMA allows for a strong focus on research which is most crucial to the development and production of high quality, innovative medicines," Mr. Phornvit said.
He added that it is the intention of the Association to take an active role in promoting and supporting R&D endeavors in Thailand.” We want to encourage and support R&D activities in the country as it would motivate capable Thai professionals in their pursuit of research. Research is the core and catalyst for the development of quality and cost-effective medicines to save and extend lives, and improve the health and quality of life of the Thai people. And consequently, the improved productivity of a healthier workforce would also create economic gains for Thailand.”
To this end, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association has established the PReMA Research Awards. It has committed to supporting initially 8 million Baht in total for the PReMA Research Awards which will be presented as Research Grants and Outstanding Research.
The PReMA research grants will be awarded to researchers for undertaking new and/or existing projects. In an agreement recently concluded with the Thailand Research Fund (TRF), PReMA will fund 1.44 million Baht each year for the initial period of four years for awarding the grants, and these grants will be administered by the TRF. A total of six grants, each worth 240,000 Baht, will be awarded annually for various fields of Biomedical Research.
For the outstanding research awards, the Association has collaborated with the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Technology under the Patronage of His Majesty the King. PReMA is contributing to the foundation 400,000 Baht each year to honor the outstanding work of scientists and/or medical professionals embarking on their research careers.
“We aim to augment these awards in the years to come because establishing PReMA as a strong partner in improving the healthcare of the Thai people is a key objective of the Association, “ Mr. Phornvit stressed. Additionally, in line with PReMA’s mission to promote the health and quality of life of the Thai people through access to innovative medicines, the Association, he added, will implement a wide range of health related education programs under the theme “Innovative Medicines. Healthier Life.”
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PReMA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1970 as the Pharmaceutical Producers’ Association (PPA) to represent Thailand’s pharmaceutical manufacturers and associated companies. Currently, PReMA has 43 members, which employ nearly 12,000 staff. The association advocates measures consistent with the objectives of the research-based pharmaceutical industry, including the promotion of ethical practices and stringent standards in the development, production and promotion of pharmaceutical products, among others. It also provides a wide range of educational and technical development services for the benefit of medical professionals as well as personnel in various government sectors related to healthcare. As a member of the Board of Trade and the Federation of Thai Industries, PReMA cooperates, briefs and exchanges views with the government and various trade associations in the private sector on topics of mutual interest to seek better ways to serve the Thai pharmaceutical industry and help foster the development of economic and social welfare of Thailand.
Contact
Phornvit Phacharintanakul
President, PReMA
Or
Panida Panyangarm
Executive Director, PReMA
Tel: 0-2619-0729-32 End.
--InfoQuest (NT)--