It's time for drug regulators and patient groups to work together

The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO) and Allianza Latina convened a debate with leading health figures to discuss the contribution of patients and patients’ organizations in drug regulation to ensure patients receive access to safe and quality healthcare. 
 

Around 100 health experts, including those from patients’ organizations, drug regulatory authorities, government, academia and industry discussed the critical role that patients must play in drug regulation to work towards universal health coverage – where every person has the access to the health services they need.

Eva Maria Ruiz de Castilla, Governing Board Member of IAPO said:

‘All healthcare should listen to the patient voice and drug regulation is no exception. We call on all drug regulatory authorities to take every step needed towards putting patients first.’

Experts from different fields

Experts such as Aline Silveira, from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Jose Luis Castro, from the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization, and patient advocate Tiago Farina, from the Instituto Oncoguia, Brazil, led discussions on the pressing issues facing drug regulation today. The speakers reaffirmed that we will all be patients, if not now, then one day, and that patients are the experts in their own health.

Patient organizations, drug regulatory authorities and many more debated how including patients at all stages of regulation could improve safety and access to treatment. It was recognised that patient’s knowledge of scientific and regulatory processes should not be a barrier to patient engagement in decision-making but that governments and patient groups should increase efforts to educate and empower patients so they can meaningfully engage individually and collectively in healthcare design and delivery. 

The meeting was hosted by the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations and Alianza Latina, who represent patients all over the world.

Carolina Cohen, from Alianza Latina, said:

‘This meeting was a great success. From now on we expect to see patients and drug regulatory authorities working hand in hand to achieve better healthcare for all.’