Wednesday, December 7, 2005

Nigel Brooksby, Chairman and Managing Director of sanofi-aventis in the UK, has been named as President Designate of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

Mr Brooksby will take over from the current ABPI President, Vincent Lawton, of Merck Sharpe & Dohme (UK), in April next year. He will serve for a two-year term.

“With health services across Europe facing difficult times, it is essential that the pharmaceutical industry works in close co-operation with the Government to ensure that patients get the best possible treatment,” said Mr Brooksby.

“Health provision is a complex interaction involving patients, doctors, hospitals, clinics, medicines and other therapies. The pharmaceutical industry must work in partnership with all those involved – especially patients - to ensure that the treatment achieves the best, most appropriate outcomes for the individual concerned.

“With new Government priorities, the modernisation of the NHS, and developments in innovative medicines, we have to break down communication barriers to ensure that the voice of all those taking part in the provision of healthcare is heard.”

Mr Brooksby has overall responsibility for the activities of sanofi-aventis in the UK with its 3,200 staff. He graduated in biological sciences in 1973, joining Sanofi in 1992. For the ABPI,. Mr Brooksby is chairman of the Commercial Affairs Group and a member of the ABPI Board of Management since 1999. He is married with three daughters.