The Association of Research-based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Bulgaria (ARPharM) was established in 1996 in Sofia as a non-profit organization. The Members of ARPharM are 24 research-oriented manufacturers of medicines from all over Europe, US and Japan, investing in the development of the pharmaceutical industry. The main priority of the Association is to contribute to the safety and supply of better human health and human life providing high-quality medical products for prevention, diagnostics and treatment of diseases. For the purposes of achieving this aim, the Association stands up and works for the good reputation of the pharmaceutical industry; promotes the contribution to the developments in the field of pharmacy; encourages any collaboration leading to improvement of health and prosperity of Bulgarian people; supports the appropriate governmental institutions and organizations in that respect; maintains and develops activities related to the pharmaceutical and medical research in Bulgaria for the reasons of international standards adoption. The Association works as a self-governed organization, which strives to provide for the fair competition among its members while preserving and adhering to the principles of professional ethics, industrial and intellectual property, observing the regulations, rules and standards in the medical products manufacturing as well as to contribute to the enhancement of the existing regulative and legal system in Bulgaria.