The 2024 Best Trade Association Award has been sponsored by Markel. If you are interesting in sponsoring an award for 2025, please get in touch with sylwia@memcom.org.uk to find out what options are available.
The judges were highly impressed by PAGB’s substantial contributions to public health, particularly their tireless work to widen access to self-care through the reclassification of medicines. This win reflects PAGB’s ability to balance member satisfaction with bold, sector-leading advocacy, as evidenced by a perfect 100% membership satisfaction rate and their far-reaching influence on self-care policy.
Driving Access to Self-Care
A central theme of PAGB’s success has been their commitment to empowering individuals to take control of their health through self-care. Representing manufacturers of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, self-care medical devices, and food supplements, PAGB has worked to promote self-care as a vital part of the healthcare system. Their efforts directly align with reducing the burden on the NHS by encouraging the public to manage self-treatable conditions, thus freeing up vital resources.
The judges were particularly struck by PAGB’s extensive relationship-building efforts across the healthcare landscape. Over the past year, they led the charge in advocating for national self-care policies, securing seven out of nine recommendations in the government’s Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care, published in May 2023. This policy success was accompanied by the launch of a practical implementation guide, helping to drive these reforms forward.
Leadership in Medicine Reclassification
PAGB’s work on medicine reclassification – the process of changing a medicine’s legal status to allow it to be purchased without a prescription – was a key factor in their Memcom victory. Historically, progress in this area had stalled since early 2000s efforts to reclassify 50 medicines in five years. PAGB’s bold vision for reinvigorating reclassification has since re-inspired industry collaboration, with the re-establishment of the Reclassification Alliance in 2023, a move endorsed by the government.
From creating a blueprint for reclassification to hosting member-only working groups, PAGB’s agility in responding to industry needs has been exemplary. Their leadership, recognised as “the foremost reason that this collaborative effort...has progressed,” has spurred several successes, including meetings with No. 10 officials and leadership of key workstreams within the Reclassification Alliance.
Members at the Heart of Everything
Despite being a small organisation of only 17 staff members, PAGB has consistently delivered for its members. A standout achievement highlighted by the Memcom judges was their remarkable 100% membership satisfaction rate. This is a testament to the value PAGB brings to its members, whether through timely regulatory and advertising guidance, or crucially, by fighting industry issues such as the post-Brexit implementation of the Windsor Framework.
Members consistently praise PAGB’s strategic focus on reclassification and self-care as pivotal for the OTC sector. The introduction of innovative services like reclassification training workshops and a new online booking system to streamline meetings further demonstrate PAGB’s commitment to making life easier for their members.
One member commented, “PAGB showed agility within strategy with the addition of reclassification focus within the wider Self-Care Strategy – the right addition for self-care.”
A Bright Future for Consumer Healthcare
Winning the Best Trade Association award at the 2024 Memcom Excellence Awards is a powerful recognition of PAGB’s strategic leadership in consumer healthcare. They have not only supported their members in navigating complex regulatory environments but have also championed self-care as an essential solution for public health.
PAGB’s work will continue to impact both their members and the broader healthcare landscape as they push forward with their advocacy for wider medicine access, better self-care policies, and sustained industry growth. This win solidifies PAGB’s reputation as a leading trade association that delivers meaningful change for both its members and the public at large.
Congratulations!