The APSM, Association of Pharmaceutical Specials Manufacturers is the voice of Specials manufacturers in the UK. A Special is an unlicensed medicine prescribed to meet the individual clinical need of a patient when a suitable licensed medicine is not available. ‘Specials’ account for approximately 1% of all prescriptions in the UK, but include more than 75,000 different formulations. Most Specials are produced by a small number of pharmaceutical companies who dedicate their resource and expertise to this very specialist area of medicines manufacture. In the UK, the trade association representing these companies is the APSM. Working closely with pharmacists, regulators and other government and professional bodies, the APSM’s role is in educating, maintaining standards and ensuring the future of this vital sector for the benefit of the patient groups we serve.