Taking stock
As we approach the festive season, it is traditional to take stock of what has happened in the past year and to think about what we would like to see from the next.
As we approach the festive season, it is traditional to take stock of what has happened in the past year and to think about what we would like to see from the next.
In the manufacturing, quality and regulatory sectors of the pharmaceutical industry we have had much to consider over the past 12 months and Manufacturing Chemist has reflected on some of the issues: the future medicines legislation, the clinical trials directive, packaging issues, ICH, and various other regulatory initiatives that the industry has to cope with on a day-by-day basis.
What can we hope for in the New Year? Probably top of the list is a speedy and sensible resolution to some of the outstanding and ongoing questions relating to implementation of the legislation and guidelines that have come forward.
This will, I hope, enable the UK pharmaceutical industry to move forward confidently and seek to maintain its position as one of the great success stories of British industry, both in terms of r&d excellence and also in relation to its manufacturing balance of payments contribution to the economy (£3.6bn in 2003).
The UK has to recognise the value of its pharmaceutical industry and the regard in which it is held internationally. Support for this has to be at every level - industrial, academic and, perhaps most importantly, governmental - and be reflected in positive and concerted action to encourage the maintenance and growth of our UK pharmaceutical manufacturing base.
I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year and will keep you updated in 2005.