Local Pharmaceutical Industry Heads South to Meet Dr Brian Iddon MP

Dr Brian Iddon MP entered the world of pharmaceutical research for a couple of hours last week.  At a reception in Parliament held by the ABPI Northern Pharmaceutical Group on Wednesday 23^rd January, members of the pharmaceutical industry based in the north travelled to the House of Commons in Westminster to meet with Dr Iddon.

Dr Iddon took part in the event to discover more about how the industry works.  The pharmaceutical industry has a major presence in the north of England.  It is a major employer in several areas, with companies carrying out important research and manufacturing of treatments that help people throughout the World. 

The reception marked the beginning of a new Open Door programme from the Northern Pharmaceutical Group, which is intended to give policymakers greater insight into the pharmaceutical industry, the way it operates and the challenges it faces across all its areas of activity.

Dr Iddon was presented with realistic examples of current issues and was able to examine the impact of these decisions on a company through discussion with employees tackling these issues on a daily basis.  Issues discussed at the event included the effects of animal extremism, the pressures of making new medicines accessible to patients in the UK and the risks associated with counterfeit medicines.

Dr Iddon said:

“It was interesting to see the wide range of issues faced by pharmaceutical companies and to observe the ways in which companies might respond to a series of them in succession.   Insight into companies at national or international level is important in understanding the environment in which pharmaceutical plants operate within our region. I was particularly concerned to hear what they had to say about counterfeit medicines, as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Drugs Misuse Group I will do my best to raise the profile of this issue in the House.”

1. A number of pharmaceutical firms operate research and development plants and manufacturing sites across the north of England. More widely in the UK the industry employs around 68,000 people and a further 250,000 are employed in related industries. One in five of the world’s top medicines were discovered and developed in the UK, more than any other country, bar the USA.

2. The ABPI Northern Pharmaceutical Group (NPG) was formed to raise awareness of local, regional and national issues relating to health and the pharmaceutical industry in the North West, North East and Yorkshire.

3. The NPG is made up of companies who are members of the ABPI who also have sites in the Northern regions of England. The NPG regularly holds briefing events and meetings for local parliamentarians in Westminster, as well as arranging site visits in the regions.