Nigel Brooksby, managing director of sanofi-aventis in the UK, has become the latest President of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, replacing Merck Sharp and Dohme’s Vincent Lawton.

Nigel takes on the mantle during a new period for the ABPI, which officially launches its revised Code of Conduct at the beginning of January as part of a bid to improve the both the image of the sector and public confidence in the safety of medicines.

Said Nigel: “With health services across Europe facing difficult times, it is essential that the pharmaceutical industry works in close co-operation with the Government to ensure that patients get the best possible treatment. Health provision is a complex interaction involving patients, doctors, hospitals, clinics, medicines and other therapies. The pharmaceutical industry must work in partnership with all those involved – especially patients - to ensure that the treatment achieves the best, most appropriate for the individual concerned. With new Government priorities, the modernisation of the NHS, and developments in innovative medicines, we have to break down communication barriers to ensure that the voice of all those taking part in the provision of healthcare is heard.”

Nigel headed up Sanofi-Synthelabo in the UK prior to the merger with Aventis in 2004 and has taken the helm of the combined sanofi-aventis since that time – playing an active part in the UK’s pharmaceutical industry. He will begin his two-year term as President of the ABPI in April 2006.