The BAPW comprises 9 full line pharmaceutical distributors who between them provide 90% of the nation's medicines, covering all of the UK's population. More than 11,000 people are employed by full-line pharmaceutical wholesalers.

» BAPW Membership | Associate and Affiliate Membership

Benefits of Membership

Membership of the BAPW is available to companies (or divisions of companies) engaged principally in the wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical products.

The BAPW is a leading voice on public policy making in the pharmaceutical industry. We represent our members’ interests at the highest levels of Government and Parliament. Membership of the Association allows a company a key role in setting the policy position of the Association and its lobbying priorities. The Association has a team of public affairs representatives and runs an active contact programme with those shaping policy development in the pharmaceutical arena.

The Association also maintains a press office, which proactively seeks to inform commentators about wholesaling, and to respond to enquiries on behalf of the industry.

Membership of the BAPW also gives a company access to a leading forum of debate and discussion on the development of industry best practice. The BAPW comprises not just the full Members, but also Associate Members who have an interest in the pharmaceutical wholesaling industry. These include most of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers in the UK. Through the Association, Members can come together with representatives of these bodies to discuss developments in their area and build personal relationships with those across the industry they need work with. The BAPW aims to bring together pharmaceutical distributors and those who have an interest in their business: shared understanding between these groups can further the business interests of all concerned.

The executive body of the Association is a Council, elected by the membership. This group meets times a year and decides the policy positions the Association will take and the areas it will concentrate on. Membership of the BAPW entitles a company to a vote in elections to the Council and the right to put forward candidates for nomination to it.

Membership also enables the Member company to attend events through the course of the year. These vary year to year, but include an Annual Conference each June. The main event at the conference comprises talks and panel discussions by some of the most interesting figures shaping the future development of the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. This event also presents an unparalleled opportunity for networking within the pharmaceutical industry, as attendees are drawn from pharmaceutical wholesalers, manufacturers and trade media representatives.

The BAPW also organises a series of working parties involving both full, Associate and Affiliate Members which lead discussion on areas of interest to the industry. The process of these discussions helps inform the members better about the issues at stake. Where appropriate these groups develop best practice standards for the industry and produce papers outlining these.