Pfizer's Ben Osborn is new president of ABPI

The UK country manager of Pfizer, Ben Osborn, has been confirmed as the new president of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

Pinder Sahota, general manager of Novo Nordisk, has been appointed as vice president.

Osborn will take over from outgoing president Haseeb 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).

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.

Secondly priority will include putting life sciences at the heart of the UK’s future prosperity, helping to meet ABPI’s shared ambition of making the UK a science superpower.

Lastly it will focus on tackling global health challenges to find solutions for ongoing health emergencies like antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to be ready for future pandemics.

Commenting on his new role, Osborn, said: “Our industry has made an incredible contribution in this pandemic. Like, working together with partners across the health and care space to research, develop, and deliver treatments and vaccines for Covid-19.

Message from new ABPI president Ben Osborn

"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.”

Sahota, the new 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 the two new appointees, 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 May 1, 2021.