Home > Health > View from the Top

Processes, Lack of Regulation Hindering Innovation

Mario Muñiz - IQVIA
General Manager North Latam Region

STORY INLINE POST

Sofía Garduño By Sofía Garduño | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Wed, 01/18/2023 - 15:34

share it

Q:  What role is IQVIA playing in the post-pandemic era?

A: IQVIA is a global information industry leader.  We are doing valuable work in guiding our clients through changing trends. The COVID-19 pandemic facilitated access to information and taught us that digital media can improve productivity. Today, clients are still hungry for information. We have held over 30 webinars since the pandemic started, with thousands of clients attending. Digital media have made it easier for us to interact with our customers and we are capitalizing in hybrid model. The only challenge is staying current and sharing relevant information with our clients.

Q: How is the company adapting and expanding its portfolio of solutions?

A: As a company in the healthcare and technology ecosystems, evolution is part of what we do naturally. The pandemic accelerated some changes and we capitalized on the opportunities that emerged. We have launched products and services that serve a client that needs more technology and guidance. We have also sought to place greater importance on the patient to make sure they remain at the center of the health ecosystem. Many laboratories, due to their portfolio of highly specialized products, have focused on strengthening the understanding of disease, access to product innovation and adherence to treatment. We offer patient support solutions that help laboratories meet their goal of bringing novel therapies to as many patients as possible.

Q: How do you ensure data protection, particularly as cyberattacks are a constant threat?

A: Information security is relevant both in terms of technology and privacy, regardless of the type of information. When we handle information about individuals, we are subject to global data privacy guidelines and the Federal Data Protection Law in Mexico. Our processes are certified and audited, demonstrating that we comply with all requirements. As experts in data, we have internal local, regional and global resources that allow us to comply with every legal framework and we have the technology to protect client data.

Q: What regulatory obstacles have you identified that hinder the introduction of innovation in Mexico?

A: When we talk about innovation in health, everything derives from treatments that will improve the quality of life of the patient. For this reason, the first access point is COFEPRIS, which from a regulatory point of view is fine but from an operational point of view,the industry has reported important delays. There are several studies from various associations in Mexico that show that COFEPRIS is lagging behindand has been a bottleneck in accessing innovation. Access to health institutions is another obstacle. And we have also experienced periods of shortages and operational problems that have not completely settled. It is also difficult for patients to access innovation in a country that annually changes how it executes its health budget. The impact of this is that there is limited product availability at the levels that are needed. There is also a technological issue as the digital file, the digital prescription, telemedicine and apps are in the early stages of regulation in Mexico and some stakeholders do not understand what is needed to offer technological health solutions. Practical regulation is needed to allow the use of all the available digital tools for health.

Q: What is needed for Mexico to become a hub for clinical trials and to boost innovation?

A: It is important that COFEPRIS accelerates its process for approving protocols. It is also necessary to have simpler processes in the ethics committees of health institutions and to allow the leveraging of technology to recruit patients. There is clinical activity in Mexico; for example, IQVIA has global contracts in which Mexico plays a relevant role regarding clinical trials.

Q: How advanced is Mexico in the medtech market?

A: This market is in continuous growth and there are many opportunities for Mexico to progress in medtech. For this to happen, we must have better data.It is also necessary that companies become curious about this market. In medtech, each company is isolated without visibility of all the existing opportunities. It is also a young market in terms of the use and availability of information.

Q: How does IQVIA encourage its clients to implement ESG practices?

A: We have global ESG programs that are implemented at local level. Additionally, many of our clients require their suppliers to have ESG KPIs and to meet specific criteria. For our part, IQVIA provides an understanding of the market, the consumer and the value chain so that they can see how these types of initiatives align with their strategic objectives.

Q: How relevant is Mexico in IQVIA’s global operations?

A: Mexico is the second-largest market in Latin America. It is a complex market because it has a government that is changing processes while investment in healthcare is low compared to other countries in the region. Nonetheless, the country remains very relevant for our operations, both locally and globally.

 

IQVIA is a multinational US company that provides biopharmaceutical development and commercial outsourcing services for the health information technologies and clinical research industries.

You May Like

Most popular

Newsletter