Key points from article :
The UK government has announced a significant investment of £400 million to accelerate the development and delivery of new medicines. This funding will be used to establish up to 18 new clinical trial hubs across the country, as part of a public-private partnership aimed at transforming the UK into an "epicentre of health research."
The Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access, and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme is a collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS England, and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). The majority of the funding will be allocated to expanding the UK's capacity for commercial clinical trials.
The new clinical trial hubs, known as Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs), will provide state-of-the-art equipment and technology, support patient recruitment, and enhance the UK's trials infrastructure. This investment is expected to make the NHS a more attractive place for researchers to conduct clinical trials, benefiting patients and the UK economy.
In addition to the CRDCs, the investment will also support sustainable manufacturing practices in the pharmaceutical sector and modernize the assessment of new treatments. This includes funding for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the HTA (Health Technology Assessment) Innovation Laboratory, as well as a new database called UK Pharmascan.
This significant investment is a positive step towards improving patient access to innovative treatments and strengthening the UK's position as a global leader in health research. By investing in clinical trials infrastructure and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices, the UK government is demonstrating its commitment to improving healthcare outcomes and driving economic growth.
