From JPMA Message from the President of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Japan

My name is Junichi Shiraishi, and I was appointed President of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) on April 1, 2020.

As you know, JPMA is an association of R&D-oriented pharmaceutical companies that aims to contribute to improving the health and welfare of people in Japan and around the world through the development of innovative and highly useful pharmaceutical products and the sound growth of the pharmaceutical industry.

The environment surrounding innovation continues to change dramatically due to the aging of the population, the deterioration of healthcare finances, the rise of new technologies such as genomic medicine and AI, and the diversification of the health and healthcare needs of patients and the public, and in addition to these changes, we are now facing a time of global challenges caused by the spread of a new type of coronavirus. When I took over from the highly experienced former President Tadaharu Goto at a time of global-scale trials and tribulations due to the spread of the new coronavirus, I was literally sobered by the experience of the former President.

Those who read this newsletter are far more familiar with the pharmaceutical industry than I am, and have a deep insight into the social mission and expectations of pharmaceuticals. Therefore, I will not say too much here, but I will keep in mind that our mission is to contribute to the health and welfare of people not only in Japan but also in the world, and to that end, I will always consider what will contribute to "the development of innovative and highly useful drugs" and "the sound development of the pharmaceutical industry".

I would like to thank Chairman Joji Nakayama and all those involved for their guidance and dedication to our endeavors.