AWTTC hosts an Industry Engagement Day
18 May 2026
AWTTC hosted a pharmaceutical industry Engagement Day in Cardiff on Thursday, 30th April.
The event aimed to strengthen collaboration between AWTTC and the pharmaceutical industry and encourage early dialogue with regards to new medicines and commercial arrangements associated with NICE and AWMSG technology appraisal guidance. There was a packed agenda highlighting the different aspects of developments and challenges to medicine access within Wales and there was plenty of opportunity for face to face discussions and questions.
The day opened with a welcome from AWTTC’s Programme Director, Dr Andy Champion, who set the tone by emphasising the importance of transparent and effective engagement between stakeholders. This was followed by a joint session with Maggie Clark, Head of Access and Adoption Policy - Devolved Nations for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), who welcomed the collaborative approach that AWTTC had adopted for their work in delivering on the VPAG Investment Programme in Wales.
A key theme throughout the morning was anticipation and preparedness. AWTTC’s Horizon scanning lead Claire Ganderton outlined how the organisation is identifying emerging therapies earlier, allowing for better planning and faster adoption of innovative treatments. This forward-looking approach was reinforced in the joint session presented by the Medicines Value Unit (MVU) and AWTTC’s Commercial Medicines Access Team (CMAT) who presented on “why, when and how” to have early dialogue on the commercial aspects of any new NICE or AWMSG technology appraisal guidance.
The presentation highlighted how the Medicines Value Unit (MVU) complements the work of AWTTC by accelerating the adoption of cost-effective medicines, managing commercial agreements, and maximizing value-based prescribing across NHS Wales.
The perspective from outside the NHS was a key part of the programme. Simon Greatrix, from Pfizer offered an industry viewpoint on the value of early and regular engagement with the CMAT team, stressing the mutual benefits of early dialogue and shared objectives to enable timely access to medicines.
To end the morning session Senior AWTTC Pharmacist, Gail Woodland, set out the impact of the recent changes to the medicines assessment processes within NHS Wales. She highlighted key updates aimed at improving the efficiency and transparency of processes to enable decision-making for licensed and off-label medicines where the drive for advice is based on clinical need.
The afternoon started with an update from Dr Steph Francis on AWTTC’s work to support delivery of complex pathways within NHS Wales, examining the challenges of bringing innovative treatments within existing healthcare structures. This was followed by a series of interactive breakout sessions with opportunity for discussion and questions in small group settings. The topics included implementation, medicines assessment, horizon scanning, and data utilisation. These smaller group discussions offered opportunity for more informal and detailed exchanges between delegates and AWTTC colleagues.
The event concluded with a round-up from Dr Champion, who reflected on the day’s discussions and reiterated AWTTC’s commitment to maintain and build on their excellent and long standing working relationships with industry developed over many years since the establishment of the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group back in 2002.