ABPI plans new research funding to make UK a “world leader”

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has said it has made plans to form a new board designed to coordinate government-funded research work into the development of new medicines.

With an annual budget of 1.5 billion pounds, the board should comprise representatives from both the public and private sectors, as well as those from charities.

Additionally, a strategy board within the new body should also be founded so that the gap between basic and clinical science can be filled, according to the ABPI. It says that this board should have a budget of approximately 100 million pounds.

Nigel Brooksby, president of the ABPI, remarked: “We need a system that acknowledges the strength of the work done by the Medical Research Council as well as the progress being made with the NHS research and development strategy.”

“The UK has long been a global leader in this sector, but we can no longer rely on past glories. Strong action is needed to build on Britain’s existing strengths so we can continue to be a world leader in developing new, innovative medicines,” he added.

In order to help drive development, the ABPI said it would like to see the creation of more incentives for pharmaceutical companies to collaborate with with Medical Research Council-sponsored work.

Mr Brooksby said that the emergence of research and development facilities in Asia and eastern Europe made it more important for the British pharmaceutical research industry to take action to ensure the country stays at the forefront of drug discovery.

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