Pharmaceuticals

Pfizer UK's MD is new President of ABPI

Erik Nordkamp, Managing Director of Pfizer UK, has been named new President of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

Nordkamp, who succeeds AstraZeneca’s Lisa Anson, says transforming patient care through improving access to new medicines and vaccines and ensuring that the UK remains a world leader in global medicines discovery will be a key focus during his tenure.

“As we look to the health challenges of the future, our industry must play an integral role in long-term planning for the NHS,” he noted. “By being involved at the earliest possible stage in strategic planning, we can work with the NHS and Government to make sure that UK patients receive world-class care at the cutting edge of what is possible today and in the future. Recognition of the role of medicines and new technologies, as well as a commitment to encourage the discovery of innovative medicines and their use in the UK, would be transformational for patients, the NHS and the British economy. This must be our goal.”

Nordkamp has been managing director at Pfizer UK since March 2015, having originally joined the firm in 2010. He has also served as president of PhRMA Innovation, the global trade association for the pharmaceutical industry, and is currently a non-executive director of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and chair of the American Pharmaceutical Group.

“I’m delighted that Erik is taking up the role of Presidency,” said ABPI chief executive Mike Thompson. He starts at arguably the most challenging period for the pharmaceutical industry in the UK as Britain continues to negotiate its withdrawal from the European Union, implement a modern Industrial Strategy and agree a deal on UK branded medicines policy for the next five years.”

A vice-president has also been appointed for the first time in the history of the Association, with Haseeb Ahmad, managing director UK & Ireland, Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK, taking the role.

“The new position of vice-president will work with Erik and ABPI staff to ensure the benefit of new medicines and vaccines is fully realised in Government and the NHS. Haseeb will bring a wealth of experience to the role,” Thompson noted.