Ben Osborn has been confirmed as the new President of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), beginning his term on May 1, 2021.
Mr Osborn, who also works as the UK Country Manager of Pfizer, replaces the outgoing Haseeb Ahmad.
He will lead the senior leadership team overseeing the ABPI, ABPI Board and the organisation’s Code of Practice, which is administered by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) and helps govern and advise the UK pharmaceutical industry.
In taking up his new presidency, he outlined three broad policies:
- Building a more resilient NHS post-pandemic by supporting the health service and the government to build back better from COVID-19, making sure that no patient is left behind.
- Putting life sciences at the heart of the UK’s future prosperity, helping to meet our shared ambition of making the UK a science superpower.
- Tackling global health challenges to find solutions for ongoing health emergencies like antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to be ready for future pandemics.
Speaking about the announcement, he said: “Our industry has made an incredible contribution in this pandemic, working together with partners across the health and care space to research, develop, and deliver treatments and vaccines for Covid-19.
“I want to use my presidency to learn from the successes of the past year and ensure the spirit of that mission-led approach to health is at the heart of everything we do; from adopting innovation to benefit patients across the country to bolstering the UK’s credentials as a life sciences superpower.”
Pinder Sahota, General Manager of Novo Nordisk, has been appointed as the ABPI’s new Vice President.
Welcoming the new appointments, Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the ABPI, added: “I am delighted to welcome both Ben and Pinder to their new roles and look forward to working with them on our shared goal of making the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use new medicines and vaccines.
“The wealth of experience they both bring to the ABPI will be invaluable as we face down future challenges for our sector and work together to make the most of the opportunities to improve the lives of patients across the UK.”
