Efforts to Countermeasure New Coronavirus Infection

March 18, 2020
Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association
Chairman Joji Nakayama

We would like to express our deepest sympathies to all those who have been affected by the new type of coronavirus infection, both in Japan and overseas. We sincerely hope for your early recovery and a speedy end to the infection.

The Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) has contributed €50,000 (about 6 million yen) to GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data, located in Germany) to support research and development of COVID-19 treatment and prevention as part of relief efforts for those affected by the new coronavirus infection. The company also contributed €50,000 (approx. 600,000 yen) to GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data, located in Germany) to support research and development of GISAID-19 treatment and prevention.
According to information disclosed by member companies as of March 10, they are (1) accelerating treatment and prevention research, (2) providing medical supplies, (3) donating over 12.5 million yuan (approximately 200 million yen) worth of relief money, and (4) donating disinfectants, medical masks, and other items.

In addition, member companies are responding to requests from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) as needed.
In response to a request from the MHLW in its February 4, 2009, letter, "Securing Raw Materials for Pharmaceuticals Following the Outbreak of Infectious Diseases Related to the New Type of Coronavirus," we are providing information on the inventory status of pharmaceutical raw materials and bulk pharmaceuticals manufactured in China, as well as the outlook for their manufacture, in order to ensure a stable supply of ethical drugs. We are making every effort to ensure a stable supply by checking the inventory status and future manufacturing prospects, etc. and, if necessary, making efforts to secure alternative manufacturing routes, etc.
In response to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's February 7, 2011, Office Communication "Request for Provision of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients for use in screening pharmaceutical products to treat new-type coronavirus infection," the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) has issued a letter to the following address. In response to the call for cooperation in the "Basic Screening Project for Medicinal Products for Use in the Treatment of Novel Coronavirus Infections" at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), we are providing bulk drug substances or related papers from each company for the screening of COVID-19 therapeutic agents to be conducted by the NIID.

The End

The main activities collected from each member company are listed in the Appendix.

Attachment

Back to 2020 News Release

TOP