ABPI appoints new Director of PMCPA

The ABPI has appointed a new Director of the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA).

Alex Fell, the Vice-President, Head of Risk International at Amicus Therapeutics will take over the role from 06 June 2022.

A member of the ABPI, Amicus is a global biotechnology company focused on delivering new medicines for people living with rare metabolic diseases.

Before joining Amicus Therapeutics, Alex spent over 13 years with GSK in ethics and compliance leadership roles in the UK, USA, and Singapore.  His roles included Head of Ethics and Compliance for the Europe Pharmaceuticals Business, Vice President, Global Ethics and Compliance, Head of Strategy, Planning and Operations, and Director in Internal Audit. 

Alex will replace Heather Simmonds, and Heather will ensure there is a seamless transition for the PMCPA.  

Heather joined the ABPI in 1984, started working on the Code in 1989, and since the PMCPA was established in 1993. Heather has been the Director of the PMCPA since 1997. 

Commenting on the appointment, Ben Osborn, President of the ABPI, said:

“The PMCPA is critical to a thriving, innovative and ethical pharmaceutical industry in the UK and the patients who rely on our medicines and vaccines. 

"That patients and the public can have assurances that the organisation holds companies to the most rigorous standards of regulation and ethics has never been more important.

"We very much look forward to welcoming Alex to the PMCPA”

"On behalf of everyone at the ABPI and the PMCPA I would also like to acknowledge the huge contribution that Heather had made to the UK pharmaceutical industry over the last 38 years.”