UK industry association hires Luther Pendragon

Published: 08 Feb 2012

The ABPI has appointed Luther Pendragon to provide public affairs advice to its senior team. The agency will work with the in-house team, led by Director of Corporate Affairs, Amanda Callaghan.

Luther Pendragon will help the ABPI communicate the importance and value of innovation, particularly in relation to research and development; encourage greater uptake of and access to medicines; and to ensure a fair price for medicines in the UK.

The agency will provide strategic advice to the association, which represents the research-based pharmaceutical industry on its relationships with politicians, the NHS and patient organisations.

“The ABPI has a challenging agenda in today's dynamic political and economic environment,” said Amanda Callaghan, Director of Corporate Affairs for ABPI.

“We are investing in our ability to successfully represent our members and making substantial changes in our approach to communications and public affairs. The team is delighted to have Luther Pendragon alongside to offer strategic insight into the issues we are facing,” she added.

It will also support the ABPI in communicating the contribution the UK pharma industry makes to the economy and the role it plays in bringing life-saving and life-enhancing medicines to patients.
 
Simon Whale, Managing Director at Luther Pendragon, said: “There couldn’t be a more interesting time to be working with the ABPI. NHS reforms and a changing commercial environment mean that the pharmaceutical industry’s issues are at the top of the political agenda. We’ll be working to ensure that the industry is joined up in its public affairs, from the sharp end of politics to partnership with the NHS.”

Published: 08 Feb 2012

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