As the world gears up for COP26, climate change and sustainability have been brought into sharp focus once again, with world leaders primed for talks on how to slow global warming. In this month’s issue, John Pinching examines how climate change has prompted an industry-wide shift for pharma (p16), one which has brought waste management from the ‘background’ to the forefront of conversations around sustainability.

We also hear from Rick Thompson, chief executive officer at Findacure, and Lucy McKay, chief executive officer at Medics4RareDiseases, about the government’s UK Rare Diseases Framework and what they hope the new Framework will help to achieve for patients and health services (p23).

The COVID-19 pandemic has also raised important questions on how to meet the post-pandemic needs of rare disease patients, with Jeremy Edwards exploring what actions the pharma industry can take that will have a direct impact on the rare disease community (p26).

As integrated care systems (ICSs) take root across the NHS, Oli Hudson takes a look at three practical implications of these changes for commercial suppliers, detailing some of the challenges that are emerging and how pharma companies can best meet them (p20).

Also of note, entry deadline for the 2021 Marketer of the Year, Sales and Communications Awards has been extended to the 22nd of October. With spaces still available across the three unique Awards, there are a range of exciting categories that will be suitable for you and/or your team – so don’t miss out on your chance to enter now! More information is available at www.pharmatimes.com/competitions

Don’t forget to also save the date for the 2021 Clinical Researcher of the Year
- The Americas virtual awards ceremony on Thursday the 28th of October
- join us to see who will beat the best and claim rank amongst the top performers within the industry.

I hope you enjoy this issue!