based Pharmaceutical Companies Group (RPC) which represents the pharmaceutical research and biopharmaceutical companies operating in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was one of the key sponsors, along with the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the PhRMAG group in the Gulf, of the Health Care in the Middle East & North Africa Summit. Organized by The Economist, the recently held Summit held in Dubai, included a regional Round Table discussion on the subject of developing a policy framework to boost health care sector competitiveness and innovation in the MENA region. Keynote speeches were delivered by Dr. Ibrahim Aljuffali, Vice President for Drugs Sector at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), and Dr. Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health and Licensing at the Dubai Ministry of Health. Rami Fayed, Chairman of the RPC Group and General Manager of AbbVie in Saudi Arabia, said: "The RPC Group is proud to sponsor this highly important summit which aims to foster a collaborative approach to deliver a world-class health care system in the Middle East. New innovative medicines, providing patients with safe and effective treatment options and improving quality of life are an integral part of the healthcare system. The RPC Group members are committed to finding tomorrow's cures and treatments for some of the most serious diseases and is dedicated to supporting innovative medical research to provide the treatments and cures of tomorrow." Day two of the summit was held under the theme Innovation powering health care delivery. Panel member, Samir A. Khalil, Executive Director, Middle East & Africa Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) said: "The MENA region has faced a surge in demand for health care services in recent years. Shifting socio-economic factors such as increased income and better access to modern amenities have led to widespread lifestyle changes, fuelling a rise in lifestyle-related illnesses such as cancer, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. "To achieve progress it is essential that the public and private sectors work together to combat these challenges. Yet despite these challenges, major strides have been made to lay the foundation for growth and development in the health care sector with a focus on R&D, education and developing a regulatory framework enabling entrepreneurship, innovation and global competitiveness. Regional governments are investing heavily in health care infrastructure and increasing capacity efficiency. There has never been a better time to build on this foundation and adopt a best practice approach to guide strategic policy and health care delivery."
