Research by the ABPI published November 20 shows that 90% of clinicians and other health professionals surveyed believe that stratified medicine - particularly non-cancer applications - will have a positive impact on the health system in the UK.
Sixty-one percent of the 300 health professionals polled by Concentra Consulting reported a 'high interest' in emerging uses of non-cancer stratified medicines whilst just 25% reported good access to non-cancer stratified medicines in their area currently.
The research report, Stratified medicine in the NHS: An assessment of the current landscape and implementation challenges for non-cancer applications also shows that 40% of respondents feel that the NHS is currently achieving little or no benefit from non-cancer stratified medicine but that almost a third (32%) believe it gives patients access to treatments they otherwise would not have had- highlighting the significant opportunities and challenges of stratified medicine in the UK.
Bina Rawal, ABPI's Research, Medical and Innovation Director said: "Stratified medicine has real potential to change the way we identify and manage health problems and we have an exceptional opportunity in the UK to realise the benefits of stratified medicines for patients and the health service.
"Already significant progress has been made in the treatment of a number of cancers and this report highlights the number of non-cancer applications already in use in the NHS and the increasing interest and enthusiasm amongst health professionals of further adopting their use".
The report, supported by the Royal College of Pathologists and launched at the ABPI's annual R&D conference, shows that there are currently 41 applications for non-cancer stratified medicines, of which there is variable knowledge and use across the NHS. The largest number of applications highlighted in this report were for infection, followed by respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
Clinicians and health professionals unanimously agreed (98%) that there are significant challenges to implementing stratified medicine in the NHS; with 90% claiming that the health system will need to change to support the adoption of stratified medicine.
Stratified medicine in the NHS: An assessment of the current landscape and implementation challenges for non-cancer applications includes six recommendations from the ABPI on reducing challenges and exploiting opportunities in stratified medicines from horizon scanning through commissioning to provision and decision making.
"Although overall progress in stratified medicine has perhaps been slower than hoped, it represents important steps towards realising the significant benefits to patients, prescribers and healthcare payers of a stratified medicine approach," said Bina Rawal.
"This research report, our previous papers on stratified medicine and our focus at this year's R&D conference on the challenge and opportunity of stratified medicine signals the pharmaceutical industry's commitment to embedding stratified medicines to ensure that the right patient receives the right medicine at the right time."
Professor Ian Cree, Chair of the Interspeciality Committee on Molecular Pathology, Royal College of Pathologists added: "We know that there is currently a significant lack of clarity around which non-cancer application stratified medicines are being researched and developed and how they are being deployed in the NHS. This report provides a baseline understanding from which we can start to seek solutions for balancing the ecosystem to create a health system that will allow stratified medicines to flourish in the UK for the benefit of patients."