FeBelGen makes way for Medaxes

FeBelGen, the association representing generic medicines companies since 2001, makes way for Medaxes, a broader umbrella organisation covering all medicines and self-care products that contribute to the accessibility of healthcare. In addition to generic and biosimilar medicines, Medaxes sees an increasingly prominent role ahead for properly framed self-care, through self-care medicines, self-care medical devices and food supplements freely available from pharmacies.

 “Both the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries are changing, and we want to express this in an ambitious manner”, says Jef Hus, President of the newly-formed Medaxes.

The new Medaxes is the successor of FeBelGen which was created in 2001. Initially, FeBelGen focused only on generic medicines.

Since 2010, FeBelGen’s work gradually expanded to include biosimilar medicines, which are much more affordable versions of biological medicines whose patent has expired.

“The focus in 2018 is not so much the legal status of a medicine or product”, Joris Van Assche, Managing Director of Medaxes, says, “but rather whether it is in line with a vision aimed at keeping healthcare accessible in a sustainable manner”.

This is obviously achieved through generic and biosimilar medicines, as they create competition in the pharmaceutical market.

“We strive towards providing the best treatment for as many people as possible”, Joris Van Assche says. Medaxes believes that branded medicines can also fit in with this approach; “Medaxes is open for a dialogue with every company that agrees with this philosophy.”

Finally, Medaxes believes that, in a modern healthcare system, the patients themselves will be taking on ever more responsibility for the management of their own health. Today’s patients are better informed, more open to prevention and in a number of cases are able to recognise pathologies without direct medical advice.

“Properly framed self-care, including through products freely available in pharmacies, opens up unexpected opportunities for significantly reducing the social cost of being ill, and thus contributes to improved accessibility. That is precisely what matters for Medaxes,” Jef Hus concludes.