The Pharmaceutical Industry Association of Puerto Rico (PIA-PR), which represents the research based multinational pharmaceutical and biotech companies with operations in the island, is moving forward with a mission to strengthen the presence of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in Puerto Rico.
The 19 corporations organized in 33 manufacturing operations with 17 commercial entities and 6 corporate offices in the province have representation in PIA-PR by their respective general managers. Currently, the association is led by twelve Board members with Daneris Fernánde, Vice President Puerto Rico Operations, Merck Sharp and Dohme as Chairman. Agustín Márquez and Ramón Sepúlveda are holding charges of executive vice president and operations vice president of the association, respectively.
The association comprises of 14 permanent committees including board, commercial, environmental, health and safety, manufacturing, medical, quality assurance, security, technology, over the counter etc. These committees meet on a monthly basis and the entire association convenes at its annual convention's general assembly.
According to the PIA-PR officials, the progress in research and development in pharmaceutical industry has generated breakthrough medicines and vaccines that have played a central role in the recent rapid betterment in the treatment of fatal disease. New medicines are not only saving lives, they are saving precious healthcare resources by replacing more costly intervention.
The association informs that as of 2006, the pharmaceutical industry generates around 30,000 direct jobs in Puerto Rico which accounts to around 26 per cent of the island's total employment in manufacturing. Further, the industry also promotes the overall employment in the island, by providing major market for other island industries, small businesses and professional organizations that provide an ample range of goods and services including manufacturing components.
The association points out that the industry promote other major markets like food services, architectural design, and engineering, medical, legal and banking services, insurance, transportation, communication, and tourism, among others. In terms of employment, the sector's activity generates over 100,000 indirect and induced jobs in the rest of the economy. The impact of the pharmaceutical industry on the local economy is also evident through its payroll, avers the association documents.
The pharmaceutical industry representing around 24 per cent of Puerto Rico's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), recorded 60 per cent of all exported commodities.
In 1997, the association has incorporated the concept of 'affiliate membership" for the growth of industry. The PIA-PR invited a select group of pharma suppliers, vendors, consultants and professionals participate to forge a mutually beneficial long term alliance for accelerated growth. The chosen companies like Astrazeneca, Boheringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutical, Brighton Associates LLC, Caribbean Architects and Engineers, Estudios Tecnicos Inc, Fiddler González and Rodríguez, IMS Health, Inc, Kelly Services, Inc, Life Scan (Johnson & Johnson) etc represents PIA-PR's business partners and works to support the member companies with their quality products and services.