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The National Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (NAPM) was established in 1977 by SA Druggists but under-went major restructuring during the 1980s with the develop-ment of a new constitution, a full-time executive director and far more activity from member companies than. In recent years, however, even further transformation has taken place making the organisation more proactive, enabling it to offer substantially greater benefits to its members and developing the pharmaceutical industry as a national asset. Further, it has extended it's voice and reach by its affiliation to regional and international generic bodies.
The NAPM is a Section 21 Trade Association. It is a voluntary, non-profit organisation consisting of South African and Generics based manufacturers. It boasts the highest membership as well as a diverse membership of importers and local manufacturers. Some of the NAPM's function is to ensure that the sector plays a constructive role in our country's economic growth, development and transformation and thereby create an environment in which the sector can thrive, expand, be competitive and enhance access of medicines to all of our country's citizens.
By increasing the supply of generics and promoting the market as a whole, the NAPM will also assist the government in its policy of making medicines more affordable and more accessible to all South Africans. The NAPM represents these members in interaction with central government departments including Trade & Industry, Health, Medicines Control Coucil and others.
The Executive Committee meets on a monthly basis whereas general meetings are called when needed. The six sub-committees are headed by members of the Board which meet on a regular basis to discuss issues of relevance to the industry. The NAPM also participates in various industry groupings such as the Marketing Steering Committee, Consumer Protection Act Working group, as well as other forums such as the National Health Consultative Forum and Public Health Innovation Forum.
The NAPM was instrumental in establishing the Industry Task Group (ITG) and has served as the secretariat since its inception. The ITG represents the pharmaceutical industry in discussions with the MCC (Medicines Control Council) where matters of mutual interest are debated.
Importance of Local and Generic Industry
- Promotes greater patients access
- Encourages and strengthens price competition thereby making medicines more cost effective and affordable
- Creating self reliance in a critical sector - members scale up overtime and move into production(BEE)
- Skills development and technology acquisition
- Employment - employed in sales and marketing, finance and admin than in manufacturing
- Supportive of Government Initiatives e.g. Transformation / BBBEE
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