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The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is the trade association for 150 companies in the UK producing prescription medicines for humans. This is the British equivalent of America's PhRMA, however the member companies research, develop, manufacture and supply 80% of the medicines prescribed through the National Health Service.
History The organisation was founded in London in 1891. It was originally known as the Drug Club. A rival institution to represent wholesalers, the Northern Wholesale Druggists' Association, was formed in 1902; it lasted until 1966. Management and offices A board of management of members oversee the ABPI. The Board is made up of elected individuals from the senior management of ABPI members, usually the managing director of full member companies, who serve for two years. The Board includes an elected president, 14 other members and up to five members who are co-opted for specific expertise. The head office is in London and there are two regional offices in Cardiff and Edinburgh. Membership Members of the ABPI falls into three categories: - Full members who hold marketing authorisation for, manufacture or supply prescription medicine for human use and undertake business in the UK
- Research affiliate members who carry out business in the UK and are involved in research and/or development of medicines for human use but do not have a UK sales operation, for example Contract Research Organisations (CROs) or Contract Development Organisations
- General affiliate members who operate in the UK, have an interest in the industry and will typically provide products or services to the industry (although not producing prescription medicines), for example law firms
ABPI membership is not open to individuals, only companies. Functions The ABPI represents the views of the pharmaceutical industry to government and decision makers in the UK. The organisation has four departments: - Commercial
- Corporate affairs
- Legal
- Medical and innovation
The medical and innovation department oversees complimentary resources for schools in UK to promote links between school science subjects and their applications in industrial research. The department also runs a careers website. The association also sponsors booklets on a range of conditions, aimed at patients, carers and healthcare professionals. In addition, the association has lobbied for the UK government to adopt the European Union directive on biotechnology research. Code of Practice The Code of Practice of the ABPI covers the promotion of medicines for prescribing to health professionals and administrative staff as well as the provision of information to the public about prescription only medicines in the UK and is administered by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA). All ABPI member companies are obliged to comply with both the spirit and letter of the Code. The Code, first published in 1958, undergoes revisions at least every two years. See also External links - News items
- Video clips
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