F E AT U R E
READER’S
R S AY @phar
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Lucy Pohling, Account Executive, GCI Health:
John Pinching, Editor, Pf Magazine:
Harriet Lewis, ABPI NHS Engagement Partner (North): Our industry already works in partnership with the NHS, charities and other healthcare organisations for the benefit of patients. This year, we have made the first steps towards a unique new partnership with the NHS in Manchester. The agreement will allow Greater Manchester to explore new ways of paying for medicines based on patient outcomes – enabling the £1 billion spent on medicines in the region to be as beneficial to the local population as possible. The partnership will also enable companies to work with Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership to improve the utilisation of medicines and the adoption of innovative medicines, using the unique data capabilities of Greater Manchester. The Salford Lung Study – effectively a real time clinical trial for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder – is another example of how collaborative joint working is helping develop a new swathe of medicines. Initiatives like this show that when the NHS embraces innovation, patients benefit, while industry expertise is recognised and welcomed across the country in a growing number of collaborations.
Sam Ogden, ABPI Chief of Staff: The ABPI welcomed seven new innovative, research-based large, medium and small biopharmaceutical members companies in 2016. Together our members provide 80% of branded medicine to the NHS. This is an exciting new era of biosciences in the UK and we are sure that 2017 will be a seminal year for the life sciences sector, and the country as a whole. Our focus this year is to continue demonstrating the story of our science, innovation and value to healthcare, patients and the economy. This focus is consistent with our priorities, which include enhancing our industry reputation, delivering the current PPRS, improving access and uptake of new medicines and building our relationship with the NHS. We want to continue to identify opportunities and make the UK domestic landscape attractive for clinical development and the manufacturing of medicines. We would say to any prospective new members – come and join us and help to shape this.
How will the ABPI continue to drive joint working, transparency and innovation in the future?
“Collaborative joint working is helping develop a new swathe of medicines.”
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The ABPI has had some high-profile gains in terms of members in recent times – what are the organisation’s immediate aims for 2017? “Our focus this year is to continue demonstrating the story of our science, innovation and value to healthcare, patients and the economy.”
M AG A ZI N E | M AY 2017 | 2 5