GEPAC and Farmaindustria sign an agreement to promote research, access to innovation, and the measurement of health outcomes in oncology

The Spanish Cancer Patient Group (GEPAC) and the National Business Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (Farmaindustria) have signed a Framework Collaboration Agreement with the aim of strengthening cooperation between both entities and promoting joint initiatives that contribute to improving knowledge, training, and visibility of the cancer patient association movement in Spain, as well as to promote R&D into new drugs and access to new cancer treatments.

The agreement was signed by Begoña Barragán, president of GEPAC, and Fina Lladós Canela, president of Farmaindustria, who highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between patient organizations and the pharmaceutical industry in order to advance in key areas such as biomedical research, clinical trials, the measurement of health outcomes, information on access to therapeutic innovation, and the dissemination of information on cancer.

Similarly, both parties undertake to promote activities that favor the empowerment of cancer patients, as well as to jointly prepare reports or studies on essential aspects of oncology and its treatments.

After the signing, Begoña Barragán emphasized that “this agreement is an important step toward continuing to advance toward a model in which cancer patients and their organizations are truly and structurally integrated into the processes of research, access to innovation, and evaluation of health outcomes. Collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry, based on transparency and mutual respect, is key to ensuring that innovation reaches those who need it sooner, better, and more equitably.”

For her part, Fina Lladós stated that “collaboration with patient organizations is essential to move towards a more participatory healthcare system, focused on the value and outcomes that matter to patients. This agreement strengthens an already solid relationship with GEPAC and opens up new opportunities for joint work to benefit those living with cancer.”

“I would also like to highlight the pharmaceutical industry’s firm commitment to cancer research. And we are no longer doing this work solely for patients, but increasingly with patients. There are two obvious reasons for this: patient organizations have been calling for years for a more active role in the decisions that affect them, and at the same time, pharmaceutical companies recognize the enormous value they bring to the entire process of research, development, and bringing new treatments to market that respond to their real needs,” emphasizes the president of Farmaindustria.

The Framework Agreement will have an initial term of one year, renewable, and includes monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparent development in line with the objectives of both entities.