Premium Associate Member Spotlight: PhRMA
This article appeared in the June 2026 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.
Scientists and manufacturers who work for the medical industry have incredibly innovative ideas as well as the drive to transform patient care while making it more affordable and accessible.
What they frequently do not have, however, is the moral support and tools needed to turn these ideas into reality, and certain types of legislative policies may also stymie progress.
Advocating for policies that support innovation can help bio- pharmaceutical scientists and researchers discover strong solutions that improve health care and make treatment more affordable for patients, all while creating growth within the manufacturing industry, according to PhRMA Deputy Vice President Tom Wilbur. A lobbying and advocacy organization for large U.S. drug manufacturers, PhRMA focuses on supporting American-led manufacturing across the country and on shaping health care policy and public opinion.
“Every day our members are working to bring treatments and cures to patients — and creating jobs, strengthening the economy and pushing the boundaries of science through cutting-edge technologies that prevent diseases before they take hold,” says Wilbur. “This year, we created AmericasMedicines.com to make it easier for patients, caregivers, providers and businesses to find resources for more affordable ways to purchase prescribed medicines.”
Serving as the unified voice of the industry, PhRMA advocates for biopharmaceutical research and development policies in order to make medications more affordable for patients. One of PhRMA’s most recent initiatives to help meet these goals is the launching of its America’s Medicines website, a research platform that helps patients, caregivers, providers and businesses find more affordable ways to purchase and prescribe medicines. Right now, 50 percent of brand medicine spending goes to someone who did not make the medicine, Wilbur says.
How We’re Innovating
PhRMA members are advancing breakthrough science and investing in cuttingedge research and U.S.-based manufacturing to improve and save patients’ lives.
“We need a policy environment that reflects the incredible work that we’re able to do here in America,” Wilbur adds, noting that this type of environment could help American manufacturing continue to dominate despite growing competition from countries like China. “America’s innovation ecosystem is the envy of the world. This is not by accident. This has been the result of bipartisan policy choices.”
He says the following four areas, which are core focuses at PhRMA, can help drive change:
- Adopting a pro-innovation regulatory and trade agenda
- Protecting the U.S. from the harms of government price setting
- Stopping abuse of the 340B hospital markup program, which allows eligible hospitals to purchase drugs at discounted prices and then sell them at marked-up prices
- Reining in the “middlemen” and bureaucracy to ensure patients are prioritized over profits
How We’re Adapting
The industry is navigating rapid scientific advances, global competition, affordability pressures and policy changes, while continuing to sustain innovation and expand domestic manufacturing and supply chain resilience.
In order for the industry to evolve, it’s important to continue finding innovative treatments and cures for disease, Wilbur says, referencing the fact that many of today’s treatments did not exist 10 or 15 years ago.
“Cancer death rates are the lowest they’ve ever been, and that’s partly a result of our companies innovating to meet the moment, meet the demand, meet patients where they are,” Wilbur says, as an example. “We need to ensure that scientists, researchers and biopharmaceutical companies can continue to research, develop and bring new medicines to market here in America.”
PhRMA is an MMA Premium Associate Member and has been an MMA member company since March 2005. Visit online: phrma.org.