By Marion Laverty, Head of Public Affairs, Northern Ireland, ABPI
The Northern Ireland Health Collective (NIHC) is delighted to welcome the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) as a new strategic partner. This partnership reflects a shared ambition to improve health outcomes, support innovation, and strengthen collaboration across Northern Ireland’s health and life sciences ecosystem.
In this blog, Marion Laverty, Head of Public Affairs, Northern Ireland at the ABPI, highlights the critical role that collaboration and innovation play in driving better outcomes for patients and society. Her perspective reinforces the importance of working across sectors to unlock opportunities for growth, research, and improved access to medicines. For the NIHC, this partnership offers a valuable opportunity to explore how our sector can further collaborate with the pharmaceutical industry. We are particularly keen to hear from members who already have experience in this area and to build on that learning to shape future activity. We look forward to working with partners and members alike to identify and progress opportunities through this strategic relationship.
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Northern Ireland’s life sciences sector plays a vital role in improving health outcomes and supporting economic growth. With a strong academic base, an integrated health and social care system, and a collaborative culture, the region is well placed to attract investment, accelerate research, and deliver better outcomes for patients and society.
At the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), our ambition in Northern Ireland is clear: to work in partnership with government, Health and Social Care (HSC), industry, academia, and the voluntary sector to improve patient outcomes while supporting sustainable growth and innovation.
This ambition is being delivered through investment in clinical research infrastructure, reform of medicines access pathways, and clearer frameworks for collaboration between industry and the health system.
A major opportunity comes from the 2024 Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG). Alongside supporting NHS sustainability, VPAG includes a world-first public-private Investment Programme committing around £400 million to strengthen the UK’s life sciences ecosystem, with Northern Ireland firmly included.
A strong example is the opening of the Commercial Research and Development Centre at the Ulster Hospital, which expands capacity to deliver commercial clinical trials. This investment gives patients earlier access to innovative treatments, builds research expertise, and helps attract global investment. Funding for a mobile clinical trial recruitment vehicle will also support inclusion by reaching communities with the greatest health needs.
Investment in innovation must be matched by timely patient access to medicines. The Department of Health’s Review of Access Pathways for Medicines was therefore a significant step forward. The ABPI contributed industry perspectives to support recommendations focused on efficiency, transparency, and predictability. Delivering these reforms will be critical to ensuring innovation reaches patients faster.
Partnership working continues to evolve. Through Northern Ireland’s unique HSC Industry Partnership, and with support from the NI NHS Confederation and Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre, bespoke guidance has been developed to support ethical, transparent, and patient-focused collaboration across the system.
A strong life sciences sector and an effective health system are long-term assets. By working together to support innovation, improve access to medicines, and build trusted partnerships, Northern Ireland can continue to improve health outcomes while strengthening its economy.
About the ABPI
The ABPI exists to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and access medicines and vaccines to improve patient care.
We represent companies of all sizes which invest in making and discovering medicines and access medicines and vaccines to improve patient care.
We represent companies of all sizes which invest in making and discovering medicines and vaccines to enhance and save the lives of millions of people around the world.
In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we work in partnership with governments and the NHS so that patients can get new treatments faster and the NHS can plan how much it spends on medicines. Every day, our members partner with healthcare professionals, academics and patient organisations to find new solutions to unmet health needs. www.abpi.org.uk
