Press Release WHO/74 20 October 1998 DIRECTOR-GENERAL TO MEET PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY LEADERS In the second of a series of roundtable meetings Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of WHO, is to meet ten key players from the international pharmaceutical industry on Wednesday 21 October. The aim of the meeting is to explore ways that WHO and industry might cooperate in the future to get affordable, essential and quality drugs to disadvantaged people. One third of the world's population – around two billion people – still lacks access to essential drugs. The WHO-industry roundtable is a recognition of the crucial role the private sector plays in developing pharmaceutical technology and products. The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA) chose the industry leaders, who represent a broad cross section of the research based pharmaceutical industry. Among the issues to be considered are the goals and objectives of research and development based pharmaceutical companies, access to drugs and vaccines, the development of drugs and vaccines and the transfer of technology for new and existing pharmaceutical products. The roundtable initiative was launched by the Director-General during the World Health Assembly in May. The first took place in early October with representatives of nongovernmental organizations. For further information, journalists can contact Health Communications and Public Relations, WHO, Geneva. Telephone (41 22) 791 2584. Fax (41 22) 791 4858. Email: info@who.ch. All WHO Press Releases, Fact Sheets and Features as well as other information on this subject can be obtained on Internet on the WHO home page http://www.who.ch/