Medicines UK has announced that Paul Burden, the UK Country Head for Accord Healthcare, will become its new chair.
The announcement was made at the trade body's recent AGM.
Burden will succeed Diane Di Gangi-Trench, head of Northern Cluster Europe, Sandoz, who will serve 12 months as the association’s vice-chair.
He has a long association with Medicines UK, having served as vice-chair for the past 12 months, and had earlier led the economic and commercial working group.
After the announcement was made, Burden said, “It is with immense pride that I take on the role of chair at Medicines UK. The association is a powerful voice for the off‑patent sector, which delivers critical savings to the NHS and expands patient access to essential medicines.
“I’d like to thank Diane, who has been an impactful leader for our sector in recent years - spearheading major initiatives and championing the power of partnership with our key audiences. I am pleased that her knowledge and experience will continue to guide our work in her role as vice‑chair.
“Going forward, our mission remains the same to ensure the UK market is attractive and viable for manufacturers and that patients can access the medicines they need in the right way and at the right time. In recent years, Medicines UK has established a much stronger voice within government and I aim to build upon this at a pivotal moment for our sector.”
Diane Di Gangi-Trench said, “The role of chair at Medicines UK has been a true professional highlight. In recent years, our stature, scale, impact, and reach have grown significantly, and I am proud to have contributed to that momentum.
“Our sector remains essential to the safe and sustainable running of the NHS, and it is vital that our voice continues to be heard and recognised in the critical conversations shaping the UK healthcare system.
“I am handing over to a highly capable successor in Paul, an experienced leader who will continue to drive our mission forward. I look forward to championing our sector in my ongoing role as Vice‑Chair.”
Medicines UK chief executive Mark Samuels said, “We are fortunate to be able to call upon such experienced and dedicated leaders to chair our association. Diane has been a wonderful advocate for us bringing passion and professionalism and we are extremely grateful for her insight, knowledge, and determination to drive forward our collective agenda in partnership with Government.
"We welcome Paul as our new chair, a valued addition to the association having already proved himself an astute contributor in his time as part of Medicines UK.”
Medicines UK is the trade body for off-patent generic and biosimilar medicines that fulfil 85 percent of NHS patient prescriptions.
