The January PSMG meeting at Warren House, Kingston-upon-Thames, was attended by around 50 pharmaceutical sales managers, who enjoyed a day of informative presentations and lively interactions.

The meeting was led by Kerry Stove and began with the AGM, during which Julian Ashley provided an upbeat Treasurer's Report and election of the PSMG's steering group also took place.

Presentations began with Paul Midgely, from the Healthcare Partnership, providing a comprehensive analysis of the White Paper: Our Health, Our Care, Our Say. The session looked at the paper in great detail, highlighting the business opportunities it presents for the pharmaceutical industry. Critically, the new reforms will give rise to an expansion in the industry's customer-base beyond the traditional clinician. Furthermore, the White Paper provides genuine opportunity for companies to partner with the NHS as it grapples with the reform agenda. Click here for a copy of Paul Midgely's presentation

After the first break, Alison Bell, Partner at commercial law firm, Bond Pearce, gave the first of two compelling interactive sessions on employment law. The key to legal success is often to "get a good brief" - in this case, Alison was certainly given a wide-ranging brief, and was challenged to provide an update on some of the hottest topics in employment legislation. The first presentation looked at disciplinary and grievance procedures, long-term sickness, changing terms and conditions and compromise agreements. It also looked at two items of new legislation; TUPE and the Work and Families Act. Following lunch, Alison returned to cover the thorny issue of Age Discrimination. Seemingly this, along with the implications of the imminent smoking ban, in particular the aspect of smoking in company cars, set the audience's pulses racing. It would seem that, like much of UK business, the pharma industry has much to do to comply fully with new Age Discrimination rules. Click here for a copy of Alison Bell's presentation

The final afternoon session was led by David Fisher, Commercial Director at the ABPI. This presentation provided a full overview of the challenges facing the ABPI, and by definition, the UK pharmaceutical industry, in 2007. The major issues were outlined as; the OFT market study into the PPRS, the future of UK drug distribution, the HSC enquiry into NICE and HTAs, and the forthcoming Ministerial Industry Strategy Group report on the pharmaceutical industry. The ABPI's conclusion, at a time when many of the industry's practices and processes are under the microscope, is that medicines are not part of the problem, they are part of the solution. Click here for a copy of David Fisher's presentation

The meeting was kindly sponsored by Excel Communications, IMS HEALTH, Training Central and Zenopa.

As a PSMG member, you are entitled to attend four such meetings a year for a fee of only £450. Non-members are also welcome to attend at a cost of £250 per meeting, providing they meet the membership criteria.

The next meeting of the year is on Tuesday 24th April at Ettington Park Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon.