The European Generic Association encourages consolidation of the generic industry in Bulgaria  

Panel discussion attended by associations representatives from Germany, Belgium, France, Italy and Poland

On 3-5 May 2009 in Barcelona the EGA Annual Conference, entitled "Generic Medicines Enhancing Pharmaceutical Competition and Ensuring Healthcare Sustainability", took place. Bulgarian side of the conference was attended by Mr. Rossen Kazakov - BGFarmA CEO and Dr. Andrey Mladenov-authorized representative of the BGPharmA  Chairman, Mr. Ognyan Donev PhD.

The conference discussed the role of generic drugs as a prerequisite for significant savings in public funds for health care.
Mr. Greg Perry, EGA Executive director made important recommendations to the governments and competent authorities in connection with the removal of barriers and accelerated access of patients to generic drugs by establishing  of sustainable national systems for pricing and the obtaining of reimbursement status immediately after marketing authorization.

Mrs. Irmfried Schwimann, Director in DG Competition and Mrs. Georgette Lalis - DG Enterprise /f medicinal products to the European Commission participated in the conference.

Ms. Schwimann delivered a presentation on "SSector Inquiry into Pharmaceuticals in the EU and its role in removing barriers to generic drugs and increasing pharmaceutical competition in the European market.

Mrs. G. Lalis concerned the question of the role of generic drugs and projects to change the pharmaceutical legislation in three areas: drug safety information for patients, combat counterfeit products.

Mrs. Elke Grooten - EGA, A. Mladenov and R. Kazakov - BGPharmA

During the conference Mr. Rossen Kazakov and Dr. Andrey Mladenov met with representatives of the generic companies Sandoz, Gideon Richter, Alkaloid, Glenmark, Medochemi and others, who praised and supported the initiative of BGPharmA for consolidation of the generic industry Bulgaria.

Mr Eric Gorka, President of the EGA and director of Sandoz in Europe, expressed his recommendation to all members to support the consolidation of the generic industry, and to show greater activity localy.

Mr. Rossen Kazakov participated in a discussion with the editorial teams of Generics Bulletin and Journal of Generic Medicines, who were interested in publishing articles and materials related to regulatory changes and drug policy in Bulgaria.

BGPharmA