Summary:

At the heart of any successful self-care business is a portfolio of recognizable and trusted consumer health brands. These brands could play a key role in unlocking the potential of digital self-care in the UK, suggests Michelle Riddalls, in this second part of her Over the Counter interview. As PAGB CEO, Michelle has seen first had how the UK consumer health industry has been transformed, for example also by Brexit. Has the UK’s exit from the EU realised the promises of innovation unleashed from bureaucracy? Not so far, Michelle reflects, but it might be too soon to tell. What she can predict is that with its new five-year strategy, PAGB will remain dedicated to supporting UK firms in navigating a continuously evolving industry landscape.

Timestamps

2:00 – Digital consumer health in the UK

7:00 – The power of brands

12:00 – Brexit, promise realised?

20:00 – What’s next for the UK OTC industry?

Guest Bio

Michelle Riddalls OBE is Chief Executive Officer of PAGB, the consumer healthcare association, which represents the manufacturers of branded over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, self-care medical devices and food supplements in the UK.

Prior to joining PAGB, Michelle was Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Northern European Cluster at Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, where she was integral in the highly successful POM to GSL reclassification of Nexium Control and the Viagra Connect POM to P switch.

Michelle has been recognised across a number of industry awards, including the Women in Trade Powerlist in 2024, and was awarded an OBE for outstanding services to consumer health in the King’s 2025 New Year Honours.