ABPI strengthen links with new association in Northern Ireland

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is extending its technical support to pharmaceutical businesses across Northern Ireland with the launch of a new association.

ABPI Northern Ireland aims to build awareness of the association's work, encourage greater investment in the country's science base, and ensure that the province's population continues to benefit from innovative and effective medicines.

Thirty leading pharmaceutical companies have taken the lead in developing the new association.

"Northern Ireland's patients must be treated fairly," said Dr Richard Barker, ABPI director-general. "Improved access to medicines and treatments is key to ensuring that patients and carers receive the best quality of life."

The association was launched at a reception in Stormont, attended by Iris Robinson MP - DUP spokesperson for Health Social Services and Public Safety. She said: "Now that we have devolution established on a stable basis, more and more associations are seeing the benefits of creating a constituent part of their organisation within the province."

Chair of ABPI Northern Ireland Charlie Ensor said: "It is our ambition to engage with the Assembly, healthcare professionals and patients groups to ensure that the population of Northern Ireland continues to benefit from innovative and effective medicines.

"Our poor health requires as much attention of as our neglected infrastructure and only by working in partnership can we allocate resource in the most effective manner."

Welcoming the launch, ABPI President Chris Brinsmead said: "I very much hope that we can develop an excellent relationship with the Assembly here in Stormont and the NHS in Northern Ireland to provide patients with the medicines they need today, as well as prescribing those for tomorrow."

ABPI NI was launched in the same week as the US-NI Investment Conference.