ABPI appoints value and access director

Paul Catchpole has joined the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) to drive the association's work in demonstrating the value of the industry and improving patients' access to innovative medicines.

He joins the association with 26 years' industry experience, most recently as healthcare management director at Roche UK. Paul has been an active member of various ABPI working groups and was also involved in the last two Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) negotiations, influencing the design of patient access and flexible pricing schemes.

Commenting on this new role, Paul said: "I am delighted to be taking up this role at such an important and challenging time for the pharmaceutical industry. The unprecedented economic pressures facing our healthcare system, along with potential political changes, means that the need has never been greater for the industry to be clear about all aspects of value that our medicines bring to patients and the NHS and how these can be evaluated.

"Providing greater and faster access for patients also remains a key challenge and an opportunity where innovative medicines can drive further quality and productivity improvements through strong partnership working with NHS organisations," he added.

Paul takes up his new post on April 26.