Tell us about your organisation.

The ABPI exists to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use new medicines. We represent companies of all sizes who invest in discovering the medicines of the future.
Our members supply cutting edge treatments that improve and save the lives of millions of people. We work in partnership with Government and the NHS so patients can get new treatments faster and the NHS can plan how much it spends on medicines.

Every day, we partner with organisations in the life sciences community and beyond to transform lives across the UK.

Why are you supporting the awards?

We have been supporting the Chwarae Teg “Womenspire” awards for the last three-years and we are delighted that it is one of many partnerships and collaborations we will be engaging in during 2020, in Wales and throughout the UK. This year, the ABPI is continuing to highlight the work we, and our members, do in partnership with others. This is particularly true of our relationships across the NHS, to research, develop and deliver life-changing medicines for patients.

As the trade association for the research-based pharmaceutical industry in the UK, we work at the heart of policy development and decision-making to ensure that patients benefit from the latest and most advanced medicines. Medicines developed by our industry improve the lives of millions of patients, with scientists currently researching and developing over 7,000 innovative medicines globally.

Our member companies are distributed throughout the nations of the UK. Pharmaceutical companies make up the largest segment within UK Life Sciences, which is itself the largest economic contributor to the UK economy (exceeding the second ranking sector, motor vehicles and parts by 22%). Each Life Sciences job supports 2.5 jobs elsewhere in the UK economy, meaning the sector supports a total of 482,000 jobs.

Why does gender equality matter to you?

Many roles in the pharmaceutical industry require science or engineering qualifications, but companies also recruit people without a science background into roles in sales and marketing, IT, human resources, training, finance and many administrative areas. The actual path that individuals have taken to get into their current role, and how they see their future career developing, is highlighted in over 80 case studies on our careers website (www.abpi.org.uk). These include undergraduates doing a work placement, people who joined a company straight from school and have studied part-time once employed, and others who have had several role changes in their career to date.

It is important to the ABPI that the pharmaceutical industry can recruit the very best people for these roles, regardless of gender.

Why do you support the work of Chwarae Teg?

We recognise that Chwarae Teg has been working to help ensure that women in Wales can enter the workplace, develop their skills and build rewarding careers, since its establishment in 1992. Your work with the government, academics and industry to influence the development of policies has been influential in opening up new and exciting careers for women across Wales.

ABPI is delighted to be able to support this work and your ongoing journey.