ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA), the standard setting and global advocacy organization that represents plasma donation centers and manufacturers of plasma protein therapies, was chosen through a highly-selective vetting process to join the U.S. Department of Commerce-led Healthcare Business Development Mission to China from October 16-21.
PPTA's President & CEO and the Chairman of the Global Board of Directors joined the mission, led by Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews with the participation of Acting Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Mary Wakefield, both senior U.S. officials.
The purpose of this high-level mission was to gain additional access to Chinese government health officials, expand PPTA's network of Chinese industry contacts, and increase understanding in China of the critical need for access to PPTA member companies' therapies. PPTA notes that by building and strengthening these relationships, the industry will come closer to overcoming access barriers to the Chinese market, and thus be able to provide Chinese patients with increased access to the life-saving therapies they require.
The agenda included meetings with high-level decision makers with responsibility for healthcare issues, including Vice Ministers at the National Health and Family Planning Commission, Ministry of Human Resources and Social Services, and China Food and Drug Administration, as well as trade associations and industry executives. The mission participants were a small group of top executives from some of the most influential companies and organizations in the healthcare sector.
PPTA is pleased and honored to have been included in this mission, as it dovetails with PPTA's increased focus on China and advances PPTA's existing profile as a trusted partner, committed to the region. PPTA recognizes that China and Southeast Asia have large patient populations that will only continue to grow in years to come, and our member companies' products can play a critical role in treating those patients.
PPTA is working hard to improve access to therapies to patients in the region, as well as to position PPTA member companies to be able to meet those patients' needs. For more information on this, PPTA, and the plasma protein therapies industry, visit www.pptaglobal.org.
About PPTA
The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) is a dynamic trade association that represents over 450 human plasma collection centers in the North America and Europe, as well as the manufacturers of life saving plasma protein therapies. PPTA also administers standards programs that help ensure the quality and safety of plasma collection and manufacturing and protect both donors and patients. The association's members produce approximately 80% of the plasma protein therapies in the U.S. and 60% of those manufactured in Europe.
