More about the ABPI

How does the ABPI represent the pharmaceutical industry in the UK?

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is the trade association representing companies that research, develop and supply medicines in the United Kingdom.

It works in partnership with governments and the NHS to support patient access to new treatments and help the health system plan sustainable medicines spending.

ABPI member companies also partner and collaborate with healthcare professionals, academics and patient organisations to address unmet health needs.

Learn more about the ABPI 10 year strategy.

1. What is the ABPI and what does it do?

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is a trade association which represents the views and interests of the UK pharmaceutical industry. Founded in 1891, it brings together around 120 large and small biopharmaceutical companies involved in discovering, developing and supplying medicines for the NHS and private markets.

The ABPI represents its members by:

• Supporting the role of industry in partnering with the healthcare system to improve patient care and population health outcomes.
  
  
• Contributing to public policy discussions on medicines pricing, access and innovation.
• Working with partners across the life sciences ecosystem to make the UK an attractive place to research, invest and scale.
  
  
• Developing and promoting industry standards for the appropriate marketing and communication about prescription medicines.

2. Who can be a member of the ABPI?

Membership of the ABPI is open to companies, not individual people. Member companies fall into three categories:

• Full members: companies that hold a marketing authorisation for a prescription medicine for human use and conduct business in the UK.
  
  
• Research affiliate members: organisations involved in the research and development of medicines for human use in the UK, but without a UK sales operation (for example, contract research or manufacturing organisations).
  
  
• General affiliate members: companies that operate in the UK and provide products or services to the pharmaceutical industry, without producing prescription medicines themselves (for example, law firms).

3. Who sets standards for the pharmaceutical industry in the UK?

The UK pharmaceutical industry operates under a self-regulatory system that sits alongside official regulatory bodies, underpinned by UK law. The ABPI Code of Practice reflects the law and often goes beyond it, setting the ethical standards companies must adhere to in the UK.

The ABPI Code sets clear ethical guidelines for interactions between pharmaceutical companies, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and the public.

The Code is administered independently by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA).

4. How does the pharmaceutical industry work with the government and the NHS?

The ABPI represents the perspectives of its member companies to government departments, regulators, NHS bodies and international institutions.

This work includes:

• Supporting faster patient access to new and effective medicines and vaccines.
  
  
• Participating in policy discussions on access to medicines, research investment, regulation, pricing and competitiveness.
  
  
• Contributing to consultations and policy development to strengthen the UK life sciences sector.
  
  
• Developing ethical industry standards to promote prescription medicines to healthcare professionals.

5. How does the ABPI fit into the broader life sciences ecosystem?

Alongside the ABPI, several other organisations seek to represent different parts of the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector in the UK, including:

• Association of British Healthcare Industries (ABHI)
  
  
• Bio Industry Association (BIA)
  
  
• British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA)
  
  
• Ethical Medicines Industry Group (EMIG)
  
  
• Medicines UK (formerly known as the British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA))
  
  
• The Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB)

Internationally:

• The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA)
  
  
• The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA)
  
  
• Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
  
  
• Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association(JPMA)

The ABPI Group

What is the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA)?

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) is the self-regulatory body which administers the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry, independently of the ABPI.

It was established by the ABPI on 1 January 1993. The Authority is responsible for providing advice, guidance, and training on the Code, as well as for the complaints procedure. It is also responsible for arranging conciliation between companies when requested, and for regularly arranging the scrutiny of advertising and meetings.

What is the Office of Health Economics (OHE)?

The Office of Health Economics (OHE) aims to advance understanding of health economics and healthcare policy among policymakers, healthcare professionals, patients and the wider public.

With over 60 years of expertise, the Office of Health Economics (OHE) is the world’s oldest independent health economics research organisation. It is a registered charity and an Independent Research Organisation.