Northern Pharmaceutical Group
During 2003, the Northern Pharmaceutical Group confirmed its strong links with the ABPI and was brought under the formal umbrella of the Association. Following the re-launch in July as the ‘ABPI Northern Pharmaceutical Group’ (NPG), it has been business as usual for the group. Through its North West and North East sub-groups, the NPG has continued to highlight major issues affecting the industry to politicians in the region. The group’s activities have focused on the future of the industry in Europe and its implications for the North East and North West of England, a topic which has allowed it to discuss a variety of issues, including the manufacturing and science base in the region.

The group held two parliamentary briefing dinners which focused on the future of manufacturing in the region, both of which attracted considerable interest among local MPs and peers. These informal working dinners provided an excellent opportunity for informative and often frank exchanges between politicians and industry representatives.

The manufacturing issue was highlighted again at a company site visit in late October. This provided local politicians with a valuable opportunity to see at first hand the importance of the pharmaceutical industry in their region. Through these events, the NPG was able not only to update politicians about the industry’s recent initiatives and concerns, but also to dispel some myths, particularly in regard to the use of animals in research and the industry’s role in access to medicines in developing countries.

Wessex Pharmaceutical Group
Informing and influencing local NHS leaders, parliamentarians and civil servants were key aims of the series of meetings and briefings held in 2003 by Wessex Pharmaceutical Group.

Engaging with numerous policy and decision makers provided members with opportunities for face to face discussion on important issues, such as animal research, EU enlargement, clinical governance, and purchasing and supply. Guests have represented a wide variety of groups, including MPs, civil servants (DoH and MHRA), and executives from throughout the NHS.

Other events included a meeting focusing on clinical governance involving the Commission for Health Improvement and Primary Care Trust Clinical Governance leads; an initial meeting with Dr Felicity Harvey in her new role at the DoH; a meeting at the newly formed MHRA to discuss labelling discrepancies of parallel imported products; and discussion on the future of purchasing and supply in the NHS.

Briefings for parliamentarians have included a paper entitled ‘Trading in Medicines’ and separate events with constituency MPs and peers.

London & Thames Valley Pharmaceutical Group
Parallel trade and patients’ access to medicines and information about them remain the key issues for the London & Thames Valley Pharmaceutical Group (LTVPG).

Constructive discussions have been held with Department of Health officials, including three separate meetings with members of the Medicines, Pharmacy and Industry Group, and with Dr David Colin-Thom – National Director for Primary Care, Dr Jim Smith – Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and David Fillingham – Chief Executive of the NHS Modernisation Agency. LTVPG has also met the DTI pharmaceuticals team and Opposition Health Spokesmen.

LTVPG continues to host briefing meetings for the region’s MPs and peers, and facilitates stakeholder meetings on the delivery of cost-effective healthcare, which bring together parliamentarians, patients groups, NHS officials and health care think tanks. During the year LTVPG has also sponsored the Conservative health team’s reception at the House of Commons for members of the Medical Journalists’ Association and has contributed to the Liberal Democrats’ Health Consultation Paper. LTVPG’s website (www.ltvpg.org.uk) continues to provide parliamentarians with regular news updates on key government and industry health care developments and related issues.

Eastern Region Pharmaceutical Group
Access to medicines in the UK was the main focus for the Eastern Region Pharmaceutical Group in 2003.

In June 2003 the ERPG published the case pack Access to Medicines in the UK: A View from the Eastern Region. The case pack looked at the myriad factors that affect a patient’s access to healthcare, and showed that access to healthcare is not simply an issue of obtaining the best medicines, but also an issue of access to consultants, specialists and support services.

The case pack focused on six disease areas (breast cancer, obesity, dystonia, skin disease, mental health and pain management) and reinforced the point that the pharmaceutical industry is involved across the board in health care, supporting the training of health care professionals, practitioners and the creation of support networks. The case pack was launched at a House of Commons reception.

The ERPG has continued to engage with its local MPs and has attended one-to-one briefings with many senior politicians, including Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley MP.