Reputation – MPs: Overview
Read more about the reputation of pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK among MPs
All MPs interviewed have heard of pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK and most know at least a little about them. However, few know the sector well. Companies in other sectors that tend to be more ‘consumer facing’, such as internet companies and banking, are better known. Three quarters of MPs know at least a fair amount about the banking sector and over two in five about internet companies, versus half who feel they know a similar amount about pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK.
Despite being less well known than other sectors, pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK are effective at converting this familiarity into trust and advocacy among Westminster parliamentarians. Around two in five MPs say they trust pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK and around half would speak highly of them – only around one in ten would speak highly of internet companies and one in six would do the same of banks operating in the UK.
51%
of MPs know at least a fair amount about the pharmaceutical sector and all have heard of it
What do you think are the most important issues facing Britain today?
The pandemic dominates the list of MP’s concerns, overtaking Brexit and the economy as issues that preoccupy MPs. Awareness of the sector’s COVID-19 response – specifically COVID vaccine development – is most top-of-mind for many MPs and shapes their views of it. Qualitative analysis suggests that the COVID-19 vaccines underpin MPs’ praise of the sector. In their eyes, the achievements of pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK are ‘world leading’ and benefits the UK’s international reputation.
There is also evidence, from qualitative analysis, that the pandemic response is challenging some MP’s prior perceptions of the sector. The speed of vaccine development and evidence of effective collaboration with other organisations to address the pandemic has led some to change their views. These MPs now have more positive opinions of what motivates companies in the sector than they may have had in the past.
Reputation KPI summary
Last modified: 20 September 2023
Last reviewed: 20 September 2023