Ben Osborn named as new President of the ABPI
Ben Osborn, UK Country Manager of Pfizer, has been confirmed as the new President of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, beginning his term on 1 May.
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. Ben Osborn
It is an honour to serve the industry that discovers, develops and brings to patients medicines and innovation that are so needed. Our medicines support our vital NHS and enable healthy and productive communities to grow and thrive. Pinder Sahota
Pinder Sahota, General Manager of Novo Nordisk, has been appointed as Vice President.
Ben Osborn will take over from outgoing President Hasseb Ahmad and will lead on overseeing the ABPI, the ABPI Board, and the ABPI’s Code of Practice, which is administered by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA).
I'm absolutely delighted to start work today as the ABPI President.
Over the past year we've seen the incredible contribution, our life science industry has made in the fight against Coronavirus, and I believe this mission led approach can help transform healthcare for us all.
The UK has the credentials to be a global hub for life sciences, but this must include a focus on adopting innovation for the benefit of patients, and the economy.
So here are my three priorities of the next two years.
Firstly, we must be mission led, focusing on building trust between the NHS, government and industry, and developing new partnerships and approaches to healthcare. It will ensure that no patient, no matter how rare their condition is left behind.
Through the past 12 months, we have shown the value of medicines and vaccines to our health and economy. We must now show how they too are central to building back a more resilient NHS.
Secondly, I want to cement the UK’s ambition to become a life science superpower. At the heart of the UK’s economic future in which medicines and vaccines are developed, manufactured and rapidly scaled to patients.
Finally tackling the global challenge challenges of our time. Our companies are central to finding solutions to the challenges of antimicrobial resistance and environmental sustainability, and we will achieve this through collaboration and partnership.
I'm looking forward to working with you all in the years ahead.
His presidency will have three broad priorities:
- 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.
Ben Osborn, President of the ABPI, 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, Vice President of the ABPI, said:
“It is an honour to serve the industry that discovers, develops and brings to patients medicines and innovation that are so needed. Our medicines support our vital NHS and enable healthy and productive communities to grow and thrive.
“At this time, it is critical we focus together to ensure health is at the heart of ‘levelling up’, for the benefit of all our communities.”
Welcoming Ben and Pinder, Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the ABPI, said:
“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.”
The two appointments were made by the ABPI Board and took effect from 1 May 2021.
Last modified: 20 September 2023
Last reviewed: 20 September 2023