Worldwide Pharmaceutical Meetings—A Place for Sharing

Worldwide, meetings take place for several reasons, such as to share new findings, learn about novel technologies, discuss international issues, exchange know-hows, and network, to name a few. While each of these reasons has its significant importance, what really matters in scientific inquiry is progress. Progress is determined not through the numerical proliferation of findings but through the size (i.e., not mere numbers but the magnitude of the importance of such findings in the larger scheme of things).

Perhaps the most crucial aspect about scientific importance is that it is an index of quality and of comparative significance in the context of understanding.  Importance is thus a comparative conception-one thing is more important than another. It is precisely because one finding is more important than another that it claims and deserves a larger amount of attention and respect.

The presentation of new technology also plays an important role in meetings. The widespread knowledge of new processes and devices, as well as products in our industry, is often highlighted in keynote presentations and throughout conferences. New technologies are important for progress, the shortening of time in processes, the increase in quality matters, and the advancement of science.

International issues in the pharmaceutical industry are of great importance due to the massive globalization of worldly scientific issues. In today´s society, we must all be knowledgeable in regulatory affairs-whether those regulations are from FDA, EMA, or from specific countries such as COFEPRIS in Mexico, ANVISA in Brazil, and ANMAT in Argentina, for example. Generic drugs are becoming important in the day-to-day development of medicines at lower costs. Countries such as India, China, Mexico, and Brazil are in the limelight for the production and development of new innovative ways of marketing and bringing drugs to market.

The exchange of know-how is priceless. When colleagues meet, sparks often fly when brainstorming and sharing ideas on distinct and specific scientific topics. The sharing of know-how often leads to working simultaneously halfway across the world on new projects never before even thought to be important to another continent. Scientists compare notes and share knowledge, bring together new ideas and outstanding findings, often times achieving new discoveries and ways of studying different matters at heart.

Finally, the meeting of colleagues is important. We are sometimes amazed at how colleagues in the same “business,” often thought of to be impossible to get close to, are humble and simple “down-to-earth” people. This is surprising and can often create bonds never considered before.

All these five factors contribute to the success of worldwide meetings, such as CPhI Worldwide 2015. We should all consider our next CPhI meeting a place for sharing.

Dr. Marlene Llopiz-Aviles is chief executive officer at Investigación Farmacológica y Biogfarmacéutica, S.A.P.I. de C.V. and a member of the CPhI advisory board.