New map shows how pharmaceuticals support jobs, health and growth across every UK nation

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has launched an updated interactive resource showing the contribution the pharmaceutical industry makes to health, jobs, research and economic growth across all four UK nations.

The Pharmaceutical Impact Map brings together local and national data to show how pharmaceutical companies support communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, from investing in research and development (R&D), to partnering with the NHS, supporting highly skilled jobs and contributing to local economies.

The updated map highlights how this contribution reaches every part of the country, not just traditional life sciences clusters. It demonstrates the industry’s role in supporting better patient outcomes, strengthening the NHS, advancing science and helping to grow the economy.

The resource allows users to explore the industry’s impact in their local area, region or nation, with information on NHS-industry collaborations, employment, economic contribution, manufacturing sites, research activity and wider investment.

Key UK-wide findings from the Pharmaceutical Impact Map include:

• 125,702 people working in pharmaceutical manufacturing or research
• £20.4bn average gross value-added contribution to the UK economy
• 3658 NHS-industry collaborations
• 186 manufacturing sites
• 646 research and development sites

The map also shows the industry’s contribution across the UK’s nations, including:

• In England, the pharmaceutical industry supports 110,774 jobs across 552 research sites and 155 manufacturing sites.
• In Scotland, the pharmaceutical industry supports 5900 jobs across 63 research sites and 13 manufacturing sites.
• In Wales, the pharmaceutical industry supports 4778 jobs across 22 research sites and 14 manufacturing sites.
• In Northern Ireland, the pharmaceutical industry supports 4250 jobs across 9 research sites and 4 manufacturing sites.

Joe Edwards, Executive Director UK Competitiveness and Devolved Nations, ABPI, said: “Our industry is making a difference in every part of the UK, it supports high-value jobs, invests in research, partners with the NHS and helps patients access the medicines and vaccines they need. This updated map brings that contribution to life, showing how companies are rooted in communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“Industry's role is vital in building on the UK’s life science strengths and ensuring every part of the UK benefits from a thriving sector.”

The map is being launched alongside a regional life sciences roundtable covering the East of England. Bringing together pharmaceutical companies, industry leaders and local partners to discuss how stronger partnerships can help unlock further benefits for patients, the NHS and the wider economy.

The map is underpinned by data drawn from publicly available sources, including data from the Office for National Statistics.

For more information and to access the map, please visit: ABPI Pharmaceutical Impact Map | Pharmaceutical's contribution across the UK.