The Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers in the Gulf (PHRMAG) conducted its annual General Assembly meeting and announced its new executive committee for the 2021-2023 term.

In line with its commitment to promoting a more diverse and inclusive environment across the innovative biopharmaceutical industry, the new executive committee will include two female leaders - Gizem Akalin, Vice President and General Manager, GSK Gulf, and Lindsey Dietschi, Country Manager and Cluster Lead for Pfizer Gulf. Mohammad Aboubakr, General Manager, Gulf Countries, AbbVie, also joins the Executive Committee for the first time.

The General Assembly also welcomed its new member Servier, raising the membership to 25 globally leading healthcare companies operating in the Gulf region.

Lindsey Dietschi

PHRMAG renewed its commitment to working in close collaboration with governments across the Gulf to help cope with the global Covid-19 pandemic and assist countries that aspire to build up their innovative life sciences and biopharmaceutical sectors. Specifically, PHRMAG and its members will continue to advance human health in the Gulf region through the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of innovative treatments and cures.

Since 1995, PHRMAG has played a central role in the region representing the industry to officials in the healthcare sector amongst other stakeholders. PHRMAG has worked with governments to shape an attractive healthcare ecosystem encouraging innovative biopharmaceutical companies to invest, employ, and innovate, a statement said.

PHRMAG’s primary mission is to support best practice and shape ecosystems that recognize and reward innovation. It enables providers and patients to enjoy access to cutting-edge, high-quality vaccines and medicines and works closely with sister trade and business associations, academics, think tanks, and thought leaders in the healthcare sector, it said.

Mohammad Aboubakr

Current members of the Executive Committee include Mohammed Ezz Eldin, Chairman of Novartis, Sameh Elfangari (AstraZeneca), Mohammad Aboubakr (AbbVie), Lindsey Dietschi (Pfizer), Gizem Akalin (GSK), Vishnu Kalra (J&J/Janssen), and Mazen Bachir (Abbott).

PHRMAG represents 25 globally leading biopharmaceutical companies researching, developing, manufacturing, and marketing cutting-edge medicines and vaccines.

Based in Dubai, PHRMAG is devoted to two missions in the Gulf region:  Advancing human health and strengthening the innovative biopharmaceutical sector. The body advocates policies and partnerships that support those missions, working with a wide range of stakeholders in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE.