America Cures: Championing U.S. leadership in medical innovation

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This week we launched America Cures, a new campaign that brings into sharp focus a truth too easily forgotten: American leadership in medical innovation matters to every family and every community in this country.

For decades, the United States has been the world’s engine of lifesaving medical breakthroughs — from vaccines that prevent disease to therapies that turn once-fatal illnesses into manageable conditions. That leadership didn’t happen by accident. It was the result of smart public policy, robust private sector investment, world-class research institutions and a marketplace that rewards innovation and risk-taking.

The policies of the last 40 years have created America’s leading innovation ecosystem and delivered real benefits:

Early access to breakthrough treatments: U.S. patients get new medicines to fight cancer and other diseases three years earlier than patients in other wealthy countries — who may not get them at all.
Economic benefits in every state: Our industry fuels investment and growth in communities nationwide, with more than $500 billion in new manufacturing and infrastructure investments planned over the next decade.
Millions of high-paying American jobs: More than 5 million jobs across the country are supported by the biopharmaceutical industry — from scientists and clinicians to manufacturing and supply chain professionals.
The security of knowing we are not reliant on other countries: America doesn’t have to rely on other countries for innovative medicines, protecting our national security.

But this global leadership is at a crossroads.

China is investing billions to grow its biotech sector, modernize regulatory pathways and create innovation hubs designed to compete with — and in some cases outpace — the United States. At the same time, there are proposals here at home that would weaken the very incentives that have made America the most dynamic place in the world to develop new medicines.

That’s why we created America Cures — to tell the American story of what’s at stake if we don’t act to chart a clear path forward for America’s patients, workers and all communities. At its core, this campaign is about the patients whose lives depend on tomorrow’s breakthroughs:

Supporting policies that bolster research, protect intellectual property and accelerate safe access to new treatments lead to more cures.
Investing in R&D and domestic manufacturing isn’t just good for health outcomes; it’s good for the American workforce and local economies.
Championing smart, patient-centered reforms that address affordability without jeopardizing future breakthroughs.

Because when America leads, everyone benefits — and when America cures, families can thrive. That is the story we will be telling with America Cures, and it’s one worth telling.

Megan Van Etten

Megan Van Etten is Vice President of Public Affairs. She is responsible for leading the association’s public affairs efforts on international issues, including trade, intellectual property and access to medicines. Prior to joining PhRMA, Megan was director of media and external communications at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and communications director at the Beer Institute. She has also worked as a communications consultant for global public relations firms. When not at the office, Megan enjoys exploring new Washington, D.C. restaurants and traveling with her husband and friends.

Megan Van Etten

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