Reputation – General Public Overview

Public familiarity with the pharmaceutical industry continues to grow

Public familiarity with pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK has grown. One in four now feel they know at least a fair amount about the sector. This is a record high since measurement began on this index.

Back in 2020, just one in seven had the same level of familiarity. This year, however, other sectors tested have also seen an increase in familiarity. This suggests that greater awareness of pharma versus 2023 is not unique, but part of a broader trend in public opinion.

Despite the increase in familiarity, the public's overall perception of the sector has not changed significantly. Half of the public are favourable towards the sector. If they aren’t positive towards it, they are more likely to have a neutral opinion rather than a negative one. Three out of ten feel they trust the sector and the same proportion are prepared to speak highly about it.

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Pharmaceutical companies in the UK are currently using cutting edge technology. And also doing good research & developing good medicine and vaccines

They research drugs and vaccines that will carter for the general well-being of the people. They are concerned about the health condition of the people

I trust them because their work is done for the good of society, helping treat illness etc. I think they are well regulated but would appreciate more transparency in understanding their profits

The pharmaceutical sector has been able to maintain reputational gains seen back in 2020, but it’s position in the minds of Britons has not’ shifted much since. However, there is increasing agreement that the sector makes a positive contribution to societal challenges and issues. Citizens continue to have a clear sense that the sector plays a leading role in discovering new medicines, produces effective medications and employs highly skilled staff.

These companies have provided jobs for many university graduates to continue their research and provide solutions to everyday health issues.

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A majority are positive about sector’s interactions with the NHS. Nearly two in three citizens agree that the industry supports the NHS in treating patients, and a majority of over three in four believe it should work closely with NHS doctors to develop new medicines.

The factors that underpin public trust in pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK are largely unchanged over the course of the past year. The sector’s role in tackling the pandemic, its research and development (R&D), and faith in the UK’s strong regulatory framework remain important components of public trust. The issues that feed into distrust in the sector are again unchanged from previous years. A perception that profit is the primary motivation for pharmaceutical companies continues to be a source of discomfort for a minority.

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They are regulated and required to follow strict guidelines when manufacturing, releasing new drugs and testing new drugs

Produced lifesaving vaccines for COVID. Work to a very high standard Investing in developing lifesaving medicines

A sense that the sector is opaque and that companies have an unfair approach pricing continue to feed criticism of the sector. This has been the status quo since this Index began and these remain key areas of contention. It is unlikely this will change in the short term. The public are increasingly of the belief that the NHS pays too much for medicines. In the context of challenging economic conditions, however, there is little support for any trade offs to reduce costs. For example, few support the idea of delaying or withhold treatments to keep costs down.

Pharmaceutical companies charge way too much for medicines, to an already failing NHS. The government needs to cut costs elsewhere for unnecessary things and inject it into the improvement of the NHS

I think that the NHS may pay too much for medicines supplied by pharmaceutical companies. This leads to throttling medicines dispensed to the public to keep costs down. I don’t see enough in terms of generic alternatives and proper management of healthcare provision

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