Welcome For Darzi Report From UK-Based Pharmaceutical Industry, UK

Main Category: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 06 Oct 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Lord Darzi's report on the future of the NHS was warmly welcomed by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). In particular, the ABPI highlighted his stated desire to see the UK as a world leader in pharmaceutical and medical technology research and development.

As well as greeting the acknowledgement of patients' needs to have access to the best innovative treatments and services, the UK-based pharmaceutical industry said that discussion on the "value" of treatments often concentrates on cost and understates the full health, societal and economic value. "A product is only cost-effective if it is being used," said Dr Richard Barker, Director General of the ABPI.

"It is also essential that, if Lord Darzi's recommendations are to be fulfilled, the environment in the UK remains stable and welcoming for innovative industries such as ours that have made Britain a global leader in world-class research."

In welcoming the report, the ABPI highlighted the report's emphasis that effective change needs to be led locally, driven by clinicians and others working in partnership across the NHS. It also welcomed the recognition that key innovations in the NHS have already led to the development of life-saving medicines such as new cancer drugs.

"These recommendations from Lord Darzi form a timely reminder of the importance of getting the right medicine to the right patient at the right time. Only by doing this, will we help to save lives and make the NHS budget go further," said Nigel Brooksby, President of the ABPI.

http://www.abpi.org.uk