Following an unprecedented period of adaptation and agility, pharmaceutical medicine is now firmly in the public spotlight.

The recent pace of biomedical innovation has been extraordinary, with communications and engagement developing rapidly to respond to immediate public health concerns. Never before have the results of clinical trials and regulatory decisions been so widely and deeply scrutinised by patients, the media and policymakers. All stakeholders have learnt the utmost importance of considered, open and honest public dialogue.

Innovative AI and digital health technologies are now increasingly commonplace, and are augmenting and driving the ways in which we conduct clinical trials. We have discovered the power and challenges of international and cross-sector collaboration, and the benefits of fast and flexible regulatory strategies to bring medicines at pace and scale to patients. However, enormous challenges still remain, and we must learn when mistakes have been made.

Chaired by Dr Sheuli Porkess FPM Annual Symposium 2021: trials and tribulations seeks to analyse these successes and advances, and the shortcomings, and consider how we can best integrate them into a more responsive and resilient future. We will bring together global leaders and innovators to highlight and explore our new normal. We will hear from medics, scientists and policy makers, and listen to the concerns and ideas of the public.