UK Kidney Week is a professional medical conference, designed specifically for healthcare professionals, researchers, and others involved in the clinical and operational delivery of kidney care. The main exhibition space contains promotional materials and information from pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and industry sponsors. Many of these materials relate to prescription-only medicines (POMs), which by law must not be promoted to the public, including patients, carers, or anyone who is not a registered healthcare professional or NHS decision-maker.
This is not our rule — it is a legal requirement under UK law and industry regulation, specifically the ABPI Code of Practice, which governs pharmaceutical industry conduct in the UK. Failure to comply could place the UKKA, our partners, and our sponsors in breach of those rules.
We recognise that some attendees may feel unfairly excluded when they see UKKA staff, catering teams, or technical contractors within the exhibition. However, the key distinction is purpose and role:
- These individuals are not attending the event as delegates.
- Their access is strictly operational – to manage logistics, deliver catering, provide AV support, or support event safety.
- They are not interacting with sponsors, receiving promotional content, or participating in any educational sessions.
In contrast, patients and carers attending as delegates or speakers are classified as members of the public. Unless you are an HCP or NHS decision-maker, you cannot access spaces where prescription-only medicines are promoted. Even if you're attending as a speaker or a representative of a patient organisation, access to the main exhibition remains restricted.
We continue to welcome patients and patient organisations to UK Kidney Week in clearly defined roles – including speaking at selected sessions and exhibiting in designated areas. However, in order to remain compliant with national codes of practice and ensure the event runs professionally and legally, the exhibition must remain a restricted area.
For more information, you can view the official ABPI guidance here:
ABPI Congress Guidance 2025 PDF
