ABPI joined by 16 new members in 1H 2008

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry has announced that, for the first half of 2008, 16 firms have joined its ranks. The new members include three pharmaceutical companies taking up full membership and 13 general affiliate members. Despite being a period of consolidation for some drugmakers and with the search for expenditure savings a priority for all, the increased numbers are seen as a vote of confidence for the UK's pharmaceutical trade association.

The ABPI's head of membership services, Jeremy Way, said: "there has been particular positive growth in the general affiliate membership category, proving that the ABPI is recognised as a world class trade association and respected by the wider business community."

A spokeswoman for the French drug industry association, the LEEM, told the Marketletter that it too had admitted 10 new firms into membership. The group currently has over 300 affiliated pharmaceutical firms with a combined staff of more than 100,000 people.