ABPI calls for action to boost medicines research
A better environment for the UK life sciences sector is vital for the country\'s economic recovery, the safeguarding of jobs and the future health of the nation, says the UK\'s Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
A better environment for the UK life sciences sector is vital for the country's economic recovery, the safeguarding of jobs and the future health of the nation, says the UK's Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
Rapid improvements in the r&d environment are required to remain competitive in attracting and retaining investment in the UK and the top-level jobs that go with it and the ABPI has launched its manifesto for life sciences, Prescription for Innovation, with the support of the CBI, Imperial College, London and the patients" organisation National Voices.
The manifesto calls for:
The delivery of better patient health by creating incentives for clinical trials and better patient access to medicines through improved NICE processes;
A review of the tax system and the introduction of new tax regimes to support the generation, retention and exploitation of intellectual property in the UK;
Supporting SMEs through the Technology Strategy Board and Research Councils, and through simplifying r&d tax credits and making them more widely applicable;
Accelerating the formation of globally competitive life science clusters by providing incentives for companies to locate in the UK and enabling closer working with public sector researchers.
"The pharmaceutical industry is one of the UK's greatest success stories, driving a quarter of all r&d investment and supporting more than 250,000 jobs," said Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI. "However, the industry is deeply concerned about the UK's regulatory climate and, if we are to maintain or improve our position in the globalised life sciences arena, then more must be done to encourage investment and innovation."
Dr Richard Barker, ABPI director general, added: "The manifesto calls for action that will mean better health for patients, greater cost-effectiveness for the NHS and further boost the industry's contribution to the UK economy. The industry is ready to play a full part in making this vision a reality."