Interpharma

Interpharma is the association of research-based pharmaceutical companies in Switzerland. It was founded in 1933 in Basel, Switzerland. Member firms are Novartis, Roche, Merck Serono, Actelion, Amgen Switzerland AG, Bayer Schering Pharma Schweiz, Cilag Switzerland, Vifor Pharma. In 2010, the Interpharma members spent 25 billion Swiss Francs on research an development which makes up 21 percent of their total sales in pharmaceuticals. Interpharma is committed to creating conditions conducive to innovation in both Switzerland and abroad so as to promote pharmaceutical research, development and production. It supports all efforts to create a social, economic and political environment that strengthens Switzerland as a center of pharmaceutical research and production. Therefore, the association is an active partner in national health policy and fosters dialogue through its analyses, studies and other publications and events. Interpharma promotes a greater public understanding of new technologies and methods used in biomedical research and fosters the rigorous protection of intellectual property as an essential precondition for successful pharmaceutical research at the global and national level. It wants to help giving patients access to the latest medical advances as well as to safeguard and promote the development of professional and ethical standards in the research, development and marketing of pharmaceuticals.