Lisa Anson is beginning a two-year Presidency of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, a trade association of companies in the UK producing prescription medicines.
Anson, the AstraZeneca UK Country President said: “While Government, the NHS and patient groups all recognise the important steps taken in recent years to improve transparency in our sector, we must now build on that work.”
“We should do much more to highlight the value of our industry to the future productivity of the NHS and to UK plc. We must also be prepared to call out poor behaviour and separate ourselves from profiteering. This does irreparable damage to our industry reputation and the trust we seek to promote.”
Anson also said she will also focus on improving NHS patient access to innovative, life-changing medicines.
“Industry, Government and the NHS need to partner on a streamlined system of medicines access that values innovation and holds the NHS and industry to account for improving patient outcomes,” Anson said.
She joins the ABPI as it focuses on representing its members in negotiations to help shape the future of the sector outside of the EU and works with government to develop a Life Science strategy which puts the industry as a key strategic partner in the government’s future economic plans.
ABPI’s Chief Executive, Mike Thompson, said:
“Lisa’s knowledge and experience will be valuable as we head into one of the industry’s most challenging eras to date. She will play a leading role as we negotiate the future of our industry outside of the European Union and look to secure and industrial strategy that cements the UK’s position as a leading global hub for life sciences.