Swiss drugs giant Roche is rejoining the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry after cutting ties with the trade body seven years ago.
In June 2009 the firm announced that it would not be renewing its ABPI membership, citing a need to review its relationship with the organisation.
The move came after Roche had its membership suspended for six months in connection with “serious breaches” of the Association’s Code of Practice, relating to the inappropriate sale of large quantities of its weight-loss drug Xenical (orlistat) to an operator of private diet clinics.
Now, commenting on the firm’s renewed membership, Richard Erwin, General Manager of Roche Products, said: “Our industry can be subject to significant environmental shifts and we recognise how important it will be to collaborate with other companies, the NHS and healthcare professionals to ensure that UK patients can get access to world leading healthcare.”
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Roche to the ABPI,” said its chief executive Mike Thompson. “This is an exciting and critical time for the UK pharmaceutical industry as we face up to a number of challenges, in particular addressing life outside of the European Union.
“It’s important that the ABPI can provide a coherent and aligned voice for our industry which represents the views of companies large and small.”
The trade association said it now represents nine out of 10 of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.
By Selina McKee
Source: Pharma Times
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