Making Pharmaceuticals 2026: Strengthening Industry Connections Through Community and Collaboration
In April 2026, the ISPE United Kingdom Affiliate exhibited at the Making Pharmaceuticals conference. With a program spanning regulatory insights, good manufacturing practice (GMP) discussions, and practical case studies, the event created space for open, experience-led exchange across the industry.
Alongside the conference, a large exhibition brought together more than 100 organizations showcasing technologies, products, and services, providing a practical view of current capabilities and future direction.
The ISPE United Kingdom Affiliate External Liaison Officer, Kate Marshall coordinated ISPE’s presence, offering a unique organizational perspective focused less on individual sessions and more on how the Affiliate contributes as a community within the broader landscape of industry events.
Making Pharmaceuticals once again highlighted what can be achieved when the industry comes together with a shared purpose.
The Value of Events Like Making Pharmaceuticals
What sets these events apart is the ability to bring people together in a way that feels practical and accessible. It’s not just about presentations, it’s about:
- Comparing approaches
- Sharing real-world challenges
- Building connections across roles and organisations
That openness helps move discussions beyond theory into something more tangible. Events like this complement the work of professional bodies and industry groups, creating a space where those contributions can connect and evolve.
Where the ISPE United Kingdom Affiliate Fits
For the ISPE United Kingdom Affiliate, participating in events like this is about supporting that wider exchange.
This includes:
- Enabling knowledge sharing
- Building professional connections and networks
- Encouraging ongoing dialogue around shared challenges
- Increasing the membership base and community
Feedback from the volunteer team reflected this clearly, with conversations on the stand naturally linking to themes across the event and ISPE key goals, whether regulatory topics, GMP challenges, or operational realities.
It also provided the opportunity to highlight ISPE’s Communities of Practice (CoPs), including Women in Pharma®, GAMP®, Emerging Leaders, and Pharma 4.0™. There was strong interest from attendees in engaging with these groups and continuing discussions beyond the event itself.
The Role of ISPE Members
The role of ISPE members was central to the overall experience. Those supporting the stand brought:
- A breadth of experience
- A willingness to engage openly
- A focus on practical, shared learning
In addition, ISPE volunteers contributed to the conference program, representing the CoPs through presentations and participation in a panel discussion with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on the use of AI in pharma.
This level of involvement ensures that the ISPE United Kingdom Affiliate is not only present but actively contributing to important industry discussions. The sessions on AI, in particular, generated interest around how innovation is being balanced with regulatory expectations.
What Worked Well
From an ISPE United Kingdom Affiliate perspective, several factors contributed to a positive outcome:
- An inviting stand with space to connect
- Strong collaboration between individuals and organisations
- Open, experience-led engagement
- Alignment between stand discussions and conference content
- Continued interest in participating in CoPs beyond the event
It reinforced that meaningful engagement is rarely the result of a single organisation; it comes from shared effort across the community.
A Personal Reflection
Supporting this activity proved to be a highly rewarding endeavour. The level of commitment from those involved stood out, with individuals giving their time, sharing their knowledge, and contributing to something that benefits the wider sector.
It serves as a reminder that the success of events like this relies entirely on the willingness of individuals to engage and contribute.
Looking Ahead
Making Pharmaceuticals underscored the importance of strong content, open discussion, and collaboration in delivering value through industry events.
The strategic goal for the Affiliate is to seek out future opportunities for collaboration at this level in the coming months and years. The ISPE United Kingdom Affiliate plays a part in that, but it is the collective contribution across the sector that drives real impact.
A Call to Get Involved
If there’s one takeaway, it’s simple: don’t just attend, get involved. Whether that means:
- Joining a CoP such as Women in Pharma, GAMP, Emerging Leaders or Pharma 4.0
- Volunteering at events
- Sharing your experience
- Connecting with peers across the industry
These are the actions that create lasting value. The interest in the CoPs this year shows a clear appetite to stay connected, and that’s where the real opportunity lies.
