Review speeds access to 'medical breakthroughs'
20 Nov 2014
Life sciences minister George Freeman will today discuss the success of the UK life sciences strategy, and announce a major review of the regulatory barriers to accelerate access to treatments for patients on the NHS.
According to new data, there has been a strong recent resurgence in the UK life sciences sector, with inward investment peaking £3.5 billion and 11,000 new jobs having been created.
Through a series of social media posts earlier this morning, Freeman said a major review into innovative medicines and medical technology will ensure NHS patients get quicker access to medical breakthroughs developed in the UK.
Likewise, the front page of this morning’s The Times newspaper leads with Freeman’s announcement, suggesting waiting times for the latest NHS drugs are set to be halved as reforms look set to “bypass traditional clinical trials”.
News update: Innovative Medicines Review
Following an announcement earlier today, the UK government has launched the ’Innovative Medicines Review’ designed to consider the most viable options for the quickest implementation of patient access to cost-effective medicines, devices and diagnostics.
The Review will also examine how more collaborative work between companies and regulatory and evaluation bodies could ensure that innovative products can be assessed more quickly, through the use of better data.
“I want to ensure that patients up and down the country can get access to important innovations as soon as possible,” said Freeman.
“By revolutionising the way in which we look at getting medicines and devices into the NHS we will make sure that this country is the best place in the world for 21st Century medical innovation.”
Additionally, £63 million of new investment has been announced.
Healthcare firm MSD is set to inject a minimum of £42 million into the UK life sciences sector, creating a new licensing hub in London and expanding research at its Hertfordshire-based headquarters.
Likewise, medical technology firm Becton, Dickinson and Co will invest £21 million to build a next generation blood separation tube production line in Plymouth.
As part of the government’s life sciences strategy, which was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011, a further £31 million is being invested in cutting-edge medical advances via the Biomedical Catalyst funding programme.
The funding programme offers support for the “best translational life science opportunities” arising in the UK.
“The Biomedical Catalyst is a unique funding stream that is intended to maximise the impact of our great British research base,” said Jim Smith, deputy chief executive of the Medical Research Council, who allocate support from rounds five and six of the programme.
“Supporting productive relationships between academics and industry will help discoveries to progress seamlessly from the lab to the clinic, meaning new treatments and innovations can reach patients as soon as possible,” Smith said.
