Cyprus is stepping up efforts to strengthen clinical research and improve access to innovative medicines, as government officials, healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical industry leaders call for closer cooperation to bring new treatments to patients more efficiently.
The issue was at the centre of AbbVie ONE – Human Centered Innovation, an event co-organised by AbbVie and the MSJ Group at Nicosia’s Old Town Hall on October 8, under the auspices of President Nikos Christodoulides. Representatives from government, medicine, science, patient organisations and the pharmaceutical sector discussed how scientific advances can translate into better patient care.
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Healthcare Innovation As A National Priority
In a message to participants, President Christodoulides highlighted the importance of research, innovation and cross-sector collaboration in improving healthcare outcomes and quality of life.
He stressed that scientific progress delivers value only when patients can access the resulting treatments, describing timely, safe, high-quality and equitable access to new medicines as a government priority. Cyprus could also expand its role in clinical research through closer cooperation between public institutions, universities, researchers and pharmaceutical companies, benefiting healthcare and the wider economy.
Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Michael Damianos described innovation as a driver of economic development, social progress and improved living standards. He said stronger links between government, businesses, research institutions and society would help Cyprus realise its ambition to become a regional centre for innovation and technology.
Bridging The Gap Between Research And Patient Care
Olga Brown, AbbVie Cyprus Portfolio Leader, said innovation should be measured not only by scientific achievements but also by its impact on people’s lives. She highlighted the partnership between AbbVie and the MSJ Group, which combines global scientific expertise with local market knowledge to expand treatment opportunities in Cyprus.
MSJ Group Executive Manager Chrysi Iacovidou explained that access to innovative medicines depends on several interconnected steps, from research and regulatory approval to clinical assessment, reimbursement, professional education and safe prescribing. Approval alone does not guarantee immediate access, she noted.
Lambrina Barmpetaki, president and managing director of AbbVie Greece, Cyprus and Malta, said the introduction of Cyprus’ General Healthcare System (Gesy) marked a major development for the country. The next stage should focus on treatment quality, outcomes and Cyprus’ contribution to international clinical research.
AbbVie invested approximately $13.8 billion in research and development in 2025, Barmpetaki said. The company aims to support clinical research in Cyprus through knowledge exchange and scientific partnerships, with the MSJ Group connecting global research capabilities with local healthcare needs.
Clinical Research And Earlier Diagnosis
Demetris Papamichael, director of medical oncology at the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre, highlighted the barriers that can prevent patients from accessing treatments after regulatory approval. Clinical evidence, demonstrated therapeutic benefits and effective access mechanisms are essential to ensuring innovative medicines reach those who need them.
Costas Michaelides, president of the Cyprus Neurological Society, called for a shift towards earlier diagnosis and treatments that target the underlying biology of disease rather than symptoms alone. Citing Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and migraine, he stressed the importance of identifying the right treatment for each patient and determining when it should be administered.
Balancing Clinical Value And Financial Sustainability
Olga Pitsillidou, an officer at the Health Insurance Organisation, said decisions on reimbursement must consider clinical effectiveness, improvements in quality of life, cost and uncertainty in the available evidence.
Distinguishing treatments that deliver genuine clinical benefits from those that are simply new is essential, she argued, particularly when healthcare resources are limited. Evidence-based assessments can help maintain access to effective care while protecting the financial sustainability of the healthcare system.
Patient Experience At The Centre
Marios Kouloumas, honorary president of the Cyprus Federation of Patients’ Associations, shared his experience of living with rheumatoid arthritis, diagnosed when he was 10.
Reflecting on the evolution of treatment, he described the profound difference between earlier periods of limited options and today’s more personalised therapies. Yet the availability of an innovative medicine does not guarantee timely access, he stressed, pointing to the practical barriers patients continue to face.
His account highlighted that progress should be measured not only through clinical outcomes but also through its impact on patients’ everyday lives, including their ability to maintain independence, dignity and quality of life.
Collaboration To Shape The Future Of Healthcare
Closing the event, MSJ Group Director Savvas Iacovides reflected on the organisation’s 82-year history in Cyprus’ healthcare sector and its role in introducing new pharmaceutical treatments to the local market. He also highlighted the longstanding partnership with AbbVie and their shared commitment to scientific progress and better patient care.
“We are committed to continuing with knowledge, responsibility and dedication to a common goal: to turn progress and innovation into real benefits for people’s lives,” Iacovides said.
The discussions highlighted two priorities for Cyprus: expanding its contribution to clinical research and improving access to effective treatments. Achieving both will require sustained cooperation among government, healthcare professionals, researchers, pharmaceutical companies and patient organisations, alongside evidence-based funding decisions and a focus on long-term sustainability.
Ultimately, progress will depend on whether scientific advances translate into better treatment options, timely access and an improved quality of life for patients.
