THE ASSOCIATION The Pharmaceutical Trade Association

THE ASSOCIATION

The Pharmaceutical Trade Association (PTA) was founded on 26 May 1966. The necessity of forming an association came about when Singapore imposed an import quota on pharmaceutical products soon after Singapore became independent. PTA made representations to the Government, which finally resulted in the abolishment of the quota system.

On 19 December 1975, the Association's name was changed to the Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (SAPI) so as to encompass a wider spectrum of pharmaceutical related businesses into the Association, namely the trading houses, manufacturers, representative offices and pharmacies.

SAPI's ROLE

As a body, SAPI

Supports legislation that seeks to improve the pharmaceutical trade in Singapore.
Represents its members to the Government on issues regarding laws/regulations that pertain to the pharmaceutical industry.
Assists members in solving their problems in the industry like parallel imports, counterfeit products and patent infringements.
Promotes ethical practices in order to improve the image and credibility of the industry and SAPI members through the voluntary acceptance and adherence to the SAPI Code of Marketing Practices
Undertakes surveys which are of service to its members.
Upgrades professional skills of medical representatives and staff of member companies by organising relevant training courses.
Promotes goodwill, common understanding, close collaboration and rapport with the various medical and allied professional bodies.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A Board of Directors comprising of 1 President, 2 Vice‑Presidents and 9 Directors governs the Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries. Board members are normally executive officers of member firms, who are elected by the association's members at its general meetings

The elected Board serves a two-year term from the date of its election.

MEMBERSHIP

The Association's membership structure comprises of Ordinary and Associate members.

Ordinary	Any business entity which is engaged in the research and development, manufacture and marketing of innovative pharmaceutical products in Singapore.
Associate	Any business entity registered in Singapore, which is engaged in the promotion and advertising of medicinal products, or in the market research, publication or other activities related to medicinal products.

WORKING COMMITTEES

The Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries has working Committees that assist its members in their specialized activities. Each committee consists of a Chairperson who will co-opt other members into the Committee. The Committees and their functions are:

MARKETING PRACTICES	To review periodically the SAPI Code of Marketing Practices and, where necessary, to revise them in order to keep pace with current medical knowledge and changing patterns of health services and practices; To continually provide encouragement and guidance to members to improve standards of ethical practice in the marketing of medicinal products; To examine complaints of alleged unethical practices among members and, if necessary, to recommend to the Board appropriate measures to be taken; and To undertake any assignment relating to matters of ethics in the marketing of medicinal products as may be requested by the Board.
FINANCE	To supervise all financial matters of the association; To propose a yearly budget for the association; To liaise with Trustees of the association's property on all matters pertaining to the property.
REGULATORY AFFAIRS	To study all promulgations by the authorities relating to medicinal products so as to understand their implications to the industry and to relay them to the general members; To identify measures that can be implemented to improve the control of medicinal products in the interest of public health and to recommend them to the relevant authorities for necessary action; and To study complaints, comments and suggestions from members relating generally to the legal control of medicinal products and if appropriate, to bring them to the attention of the authorities in the interest of safe and effective use of drugs.

INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATION

The pharmaceutical industry globally is represented by two non‑governmental organisations. The prescription industry is represented worldwide by IFPMA (International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations). The OTC industry (over‑the counter proprietary medicines) is represented by WSMI (World Self-Medication Industry). SAPI has been a member of IFPMA since 1971.