Pharmaceutical industries strongly call on the Government to recognize, promote and protect the sector

Within the framework of the XLVI Assembly of the Latin American Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (ALIFAR) and the Latin American Forum of the Pharmaceutical Industry, held in Bogotá, the Association of Colombian Pharmaceutical Industries (ASINFAR) made a resounding call to the national government and the country: the Colombian pharmaceutical industry must be recognized, protected and promoted as a strategic sector for health, the economy and national sovereignty.

With the presence of all the country's health authorities and the participation of delegations from 15 countries in the region, Asinfar emphasized the urgent need to consolidate a modern, coherent National Pharmaceutical Policy focused on strengthening local production.

“Colombia cannot continue to rely on imports as its primary source of supply. The national pharmaceutical industry has the capacity, experience, and talent to meet the needs of the healthcare system, but it needs clear regulations, institutional support, and fair competition,” said Carlos Francisco Fernández Rincón, president of Asinfar.

During the meetings, the Colombian union emphasized five key pillars that should guide public policy:

“We're not talking about blind protectionism, but about intelligent sovereignty. National industry is a country's asset, not a burden. If we don't defend it today, tomorrow we'll lack not only medicines, but also healthcare autonomy,” added Fernández Rincón.

Alifar, a regional organization that brings together pharmaceutical industry associations from 15 Latin American countries, supported Colombia's call and highlighted the country's role as host of the meeting.

“Colombia has been an example of regional leadership in recent days. What has been said here is clear: Latin America must act together to guarantee access, protect local production, and confront the threats that put our health and our industry at risk,” said Gerardo García, president of Alifar.

For his part, Eduardo Franciosi, a member of Alifar's Executive Committee, emphasized the importance of moving toward regulatory and productive integration in the region: "We have talent, we have capacity, and now we have a shared agenda. There is no sovereignty without industry. And there is no industry without political will."

The event's conclusions made it clear that healthcare cannot depend on the global market, and that medicines are not just another product: they are a strategic asset that must be produced, distributed, and protected with a national vision.

Asinfar reiterated its commitment to continue working decisively to strengthen the national pharmaceutical industry, with concrete proposals and a collaborative approach that contributes to a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable healthcare system for all Colombians.

Environment and Health Journalist