The ABPI sets out its plan for investment, health and growth

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has published a manifesto for what a new government must do to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use the medicines and vaccines of the future.

The UK’s life sciences industry has the potential to drive the health and wealth of the UK. Medicines and vaccines already in the development pipeline can potentially transform public health, NHS treatment and patients' lives.

The ABPI manifesto for investment, health and growth sets out a vision for how the UK can overtake its global competitors and create a virtuous cycle, where investment in medicines and research accelerates future waves of innovation and attracts an increased UK share of global research and development (R&D).

To achieve this vision, the ABPI is calling on all political parties to commit to three broad goals, with key requirements to make each of them happen:

• Strengthen the development, regulation and adoption journey for new medicines and vaccines, making the UK a beacon for global research investment.
• Work with industry as a partner to drive better health, investing in medicines and vaccines to improve prevention and health equity and deliver a sustainable NHS.
• Equip industry with the tools to drive UK economic growth, safeguarding intellectual property, removing trade barriers and incentivising advanced medicines manufacturing and skills development.

Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the ABPI said: “The UK’s life sciences industry can deliver the jobs and growth the country needs, while also transforming NHS health outcomes and boosting British scientific research.

“Making this potential a reality requires a true partnership between industry and government, with a unified approach to health and growth. We are confident that if we get the policy environment right, the rewards for patients, the NHS and the economy will be considerable.”

Increasing recruitment to industry clinical trials could unlock up to £3.5bn of income for the NHS over five years, including up to £678m in cost savings from medicines and treatments provided free by companies through clinical trials.

Research by PwC has shown that if the UK increased use across just four types of medicines (DOACs, SGLT2 inhibitors, severe asthma biologics and vasopressin V2-receptor antagonists) in the NICE-recommended eligible patient population, this would deliver 429,000 additional years of life in good health for UK patients and £17.9bn in productivity gains for the UK economy.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is already responsible for £16.4bn in GVA to the UK economy each year and 26,000 full-time jobs. By delivering a supportive policy and operating environment for medicines manufacturing, the UK could attract £15bn worth of investment and double the number of medicines manufacturing employees over the next 10 years.

Ahead of the next election, the ABPI will work with all major political parties to make the case for supporting UK life sciences.