Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry
The trade body representing medicines manufacturers has called on the next government to bring the UK’s current healthcare spending of 9.9% of GDP into line with the G7 average of 11.3%, in order to help the NHS become one of the best health services in the world.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) says in its 2017 General Election Manifesto, launched at its annual conference on 27 April 2017, that the new government must secure global investment and jobs through an industrial strategy in order to grow the UK’s status as a globally-recognised hub for life sciences and pharmaceuticals for both scientists and investors.
Finally, it asks that the government negotiate a Brexit deal that prioritises both patients and public health by securing access to medicines as the UK enters into a new relationship with the European Union.
“The new government should commit to bringing healthcare investment in line with the G7 average in order to deliver the services and outcomes that British patients deserve,” says Lisa Anson, president of the ABPI and country president of AstraZeneca UK.
“Ensuring that the NHS and life sciences industry are at the heart of the new industrial strategy, and Brexit negotiations, is also crucial for securing this ambition.”
Anson told The Times newspaper that the financial squeeze on the NHS threatened the whole of Britain’s life sciences sector as firms would reconsider working in the UK.
Separately, drug companies will be prevented from bringing in steep price rises with the introduction of new legislation, the Health Service Medical Supplies (Costs) Bill 2016-17, which is expected to receive royal assent on 27 April 2017.
