Thriving in today’s world is a challenge for both individuals and companies; lower wages butt up against higher living costs, lower profits clash with higher operating costs. Add political uncertainty to the mix, and it’s no surprise that depression, anxiety and low self-esteem are reaching record levels. In the midst of this turmoil, what’s our reaction? Taking time out to revel in how far we have come – and celebrating the individuals that make change possible. In March, I had the opportunity to visit Roche headquarters in Basel. As well as touring some of the labs, I also delved into the “Roche Archives” – a vault of company history, including building plans, staff photographs, published articles, and legal documents (even the original document founding the company, signed in 1896). There was also an old machine for making cough medicine, old diagnostic systems, company awards, Roche coat hangers, Roche teddy bears… Countless objects and documents, each with their own part to play in Roche’s success story, here.
Several big pharma companies apparently maintain such archives – but only rarely are they the subject of a tour. My guide, Alexander Bieri, seemed pleasantly surprised by my wonder at this room of history. But how can you not be awed by a century-old bottle of medicine (Sirolin)? Roche stores a sample of every medicine ever made by the company, from simple small molecule drugs to the more complex biopharmaceuticals that dominate global pipelines today. The result is an incredible visual reminder of how far the industry has come. Yes, it is well accepted that manufacturing processes in pharma tend to lag behind those in other industries. It is also well accepted that the prices of medicines are spiraling beyond society’s ability to pay for them. And there are many treatments that continue to elude science. But one day, I believe we will have the solutions to these problems. Everyone in the pharma industry today, no matter the job function, is shaping the future of mankind. After all, good medicine underpins health and wellbeing. Celebrating the great and the good within our wonderful industry underpins our annual Power List issue. And so, here, we highlight 100 of the most inspirational individuals advancing drug development and working hard to overcome the trials facing the industry today – and into the future.
Stephanie Sutton
Editor
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