ABPI and Patient Groups

ABPI communicates with a wide range of patient groups, facilitating open dialogue and also promoting partnerships with stakeholders from across the health care spectrum. The Association hosts a variety of meetings and workshops on important topics where different healthcare sectors meet, challenging issues are raised and differing voices heard.

As a trade association, ABPI works mainly with voluntary sector umbrella organisations, representing a broad range of patient groups whose members and constituents live with diverse medical conditions (see ABPI Funding below). Many of our member companies provide some support to individual patient groups. This funding makes possible important work that contributes to the well-being of a great many people living with serious or debilitating medical conditions.

Company sponsorship and joint activities should always be undertaken first and foremost in the interest of patients. It is therefore important that robust policies are in place to ensure that relationships meet high standards of probity and conform with all relevant codes of practice and legislation.

Click on the following links to view:

• The pharmaceutical industry and patient groups working together,
  ABPI Guiding Principles
• The ABPI Code of Practice and written agreements with patient groups
• Patient Organisations and the ABPI Code
  An article about the Code by its Director, Heather Simmonds
  First published in Connect (Autumn 2006) the quarterly newletter of the Long-term Medical Alliance (LMCA)
• The ABPI Code of Practice for the pharmaceutical industry
  Certification (Clause 14) and patient organisations
  Informal advice issued by the PMCPA
• ABPI Funding
• Listing of Patient Groups