

Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the ABPI, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the decline in late-stage industry clinical research in the UK, compared to its global peers.” Thus, there are fewer opportunities for UK patients and clinicians to access cutting-edge research, while also causing companies to review their UK research headcounts and risking imminent damage to future investment in UK life sciences. This had increased by 25 days since 2018, which dropped the UK to 7 th place amongst comparator countries. The report found that consistently slow and variable study setup and recruitment timelines in the NHS are forcing some pharmaceutical companies to place their trials in other countries.ĭuring 2020, the UK’s median time between a clinical trial applying for regulatory approval and that trial delivering its first dose to a participant was 247 days. In 2020-21, the loss of industry research during the pandemic is estimated to have generated an NHS deficit of up to £447 million. Patients experiencing less access to treatments through clinical research is concerning for the health outcomes of patients with limited treatment options in routine care, such as: the estimated 3.5 million people living with rare diseases in the UK.ĭeclining industry clinical trial activity also means less revenue for the NHS. The UK has also fallen down the global rankings for late-stage clinical research, dropping from 2 nd to 6 th in Phase II trials and 4 th to 10 th in Phase III trials between 20. The report also shows that between 20 the number of Phase III industry trials initiated in the UK fell by 48.

The findings of the report shed light on a serious threat to the long-term future of industry clinical research in the UK along with benefits it brings to patients, the NHS, and the UK economy. NHS England incorporating the best practices in research finance into its upcoming research guidance for Integrated Care Systems.NHS England working at pace to ensure all NHS Trusts in England are committed to adhering to prices generated by the interactive Costing Tool for commercial contract research.

NHS England and the devolved administrations introducing a 60-day maximum timeframe for costing and contracting of commercial contract research.
