Review

The Pharma Summit 2009 engaged 140 attendees in some thought-provoking debates, as Vijay Vaitheeswaran challenged speakers to defend their views on the role that will be played by traditional and emerging markets in pharma companies' growth, the best strategies for companies to implement in these markets now, and how the industry needs to change.

There was a heated discussion about how pharma should be valued, as Wim Leereveld contended that companies' commitment to access to medicines is a good indication of their experience in the markets that will lead the industry's growth. Novartis, sanofi-aventis and Pfizer sat alongside the WHO and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to discuss their response to the impossible-to-ignore 'bottom of the pyramid' - as Vijay termed it - in high-growth markets.

The Economist Intelligence Unit's Editor in Chief gave an insight into what the global economy will do in the next 10 years, and Vijay drew on some of the more provocative of the day's comments to draw some challenging conclusions for delegates to consider as they returned to their respective organisations.

Superb feedback from delegates included:

"Inspiring!"
Public Affairs & Policy Director, Pfizer

"Stimulating"
Senior Director, Almirall

"Top level view of the Pharma sector"
NBD Director Emerging Markets, Solvay Pharma