Washington, D.C. (March 5, 2019) — Today, the National Institutes of Health HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative announced the launch of the HEAL Partnership Committee (HPC), which comprises experts in drug and device development, research and bioethics, as well as people who have experienced pain and addiction. HPC provides a forum for sharing existing data and knowledge about past pain therapy development, considering the existing assets in the research and biomedical community, and coordinating the collection of information and materials. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), along with the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, signed a memorandum of understanding with NIH to become a part of the HPC and communicate opportunities to advance the goals of the NIH HEAL Initiative to our member companies and identify representatives with scientific expertise who may provide knowledge and guidance.

PhRMA President and CEO Stephen J. Ubl issued the following statement about PhRMA’s partnership with NIH and the HEAL Initiative:

“Opioid abuse and addiction in America is a public health crisis that we all must work together to solve. The HEAL Partnership Committee is a critical step forward in this collaboration. It provides an opportunity to share valuable data, knowledge and research across the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries, government and academia to speed the development of innovative treatments for pain and opioid misuse and addiction. It also allows scientists working on this issue to leverage lessons learned in other therapeutic areas across the research spectrum. The increased focus on public-private collaboration will allow us to better identify the most promising areas of research, apply lessons learned in other therapeutic areas and deliver new treatment options to patients faster.

“America’s biopharmaceutical companies’ driving mission is to find new, innovative answers to our toughest health challenges, and we are committed to bringing that same determination to this urgent national crisis through the HPC and other ongoing industry efforts.”

About PhRMA

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are devoted to discovering and developing medicines that enable patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Since 2000, PhRMA member companies have invested more than $900 billion in the search for new treatments and cures, including an estimated $79.6 billion in 2018 alone.

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