More about the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
How does the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø represent the pharmaceutical industry in the UK?
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø) is the trade association representing companies that research, develop and supply medicines in the United Kingdom.
It works in partnership with governments and the NHS to support patient access to new treatments and help the health system plan sustainable medicines spending.
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø member companies also partner and collaborate with healthcare professionals, academics and patient organisations to address unmet health needs.
Learn more about the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 10 year strategy.
Table of contents
1. What is the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and what does it do?
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø) is a trade association which represents the views and interests of the UK pharmaceutical industry. Founded in 1891, it brings together around 120 large and small biopharmaceutical companies involved in discovering, developing and supplying medicines for the NHS and private markets.
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø represents its members by:
- Supporting the role of industry in partnering with the healthcare system to improve patient care and population health outcomes.
- Contributing to public policy discussions on medicines pricing, access and innovation.
- Working with partners across the life sciences ecosystem to make the UK an attractive place to research, invest and scale.
- Developing and promoting industry standards for the appropriate marketing and communication about prescription medicines.
2. Who can be a member of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
Membership of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is open to companies, not individual people. Member companies fall into three categories:
- Full members: companies that hold a marketing authorisation for a prescription medicine for human use and conduct business in the UK.
- Research affiliate members: organisations involved in the research and development of medicines for human use in the UK, but without a UK sales operation (for example, contract research or manufacturing organisations).
- General affiliate members: companies that operate in the UK and provide products or services to the pharmaceutical industry, without producing prescription medicines themselves (for example, law firms).
3. Who sets standards for the pharmaceutical industry in the UK?
The UK pharmaceutical industry operates under a self-regulatory system that sits alongside official regulatory bodies, underpinned by UK law. The reflects the law and often goes beyond it, setting the ethical standards companies must adhere to in the UK.
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Code sets clear ethical guidelines for interactions between pharmaceutical companies, healthcare professionals, patient organisations and the public.
The Code is administered independently by the (PMCPA).
4. How does the pharmaceutical industry work with the government and the NHS?
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø represents the perspectives of its member companies to government departments, regulators, NHS bodies and international institutions.
This work includes:
- Supporting faster patient access to new and effective medicines and vaccines.
- Participating in policy discussions on access to medicines, research investment, regulation, pricing and competitiveness.
- Contributing to consultations and policy development to strengthen the UK life sciences sector.
- Developing ethical industry standards to promote prescription medicines to healthcare professionals.
5. How does the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø fit into the broader life sciences ecosystem?
Alongside the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, several other organisations seek to represent different parts of the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector in the UK, including:
- (formerly known as the British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA))
Internationally:
- )
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Group
What is the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA)?
The is the self-regulatory body which administers the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø) Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry, independently of the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
It was established by the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø on 1 January 1993. The Authority is responsible for providing advice, guidance, and training on the Code, as well as for the complaints procedure. It is also responsible for arranging conciliation between companies when requested, and for regularly arranging the scrutiny of advertising and meetings.
What is the Office of Health Economics (OHE)?
The aims to advance understanding of health economics and healthcare policy among policymakers, healthcare professionals, patients and the wider public.
With over 60 years of expertise, the Office of Health Economics (OHE) is the world’s oldest independent health economics research organisation. It is a registered charity and an Independent Research Organisation.
Who we are
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø exists to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and access medicines and vaccines to improve patient care.
We represent companies of all sizes which invest in making and discovering medicines and vaccines to enhance and save the lives of millions of people around the world.
Our members and affiliates include established research-based pharmaceutical companies, specialist service providers that support pharmaceutical R&D, and organisations that work and interact with the pharmaceutical industry in the UK.
We work in partnership with the government, regulators, and the NHS, enabling patients to access new and effective treatments and vaccines more quickly.
We collaborate with our partners across the life sciences ecosystem to make the UK an attractive location to invest and scale.
An overview of the ºÚÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s role in representing the UK pharmaceutical industry
What we do
We work to improve access to new medicines and vaccines so everyone in the UK can access the latest treatments.
We work to build a thriving UK environment to research, develop, and manufacture new medicines and vaccines.
We work to enhance the reputation of our industry by setting the highest ethical standards and communicating the benefits our members bring to patients, the NHS and the UK economy.
We work to ensure the UK continues to play a positive role on the global stage defending intellectual property and supporting cooperation on research and international issues.
We work to enhance how health data can transform medicines development and improve patient care.
We work with our members to champion industry, NHS and patient organisation partnerships.
How the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø works with government, the NHS and partners to support patient access to medicines
Last modified: 31 March 2026
Last reviewed: 31 March 2026