21.09.18
Partnership forged between pharma body and academic health network in new five-year deal
A new five-year partnership aimed at accelerating the introduction and uptake of transformative biomedical innovations in the NHS has been agreed today between two key bodies in the pharma sector.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) – a body which represents research-based biopharmaceutical companies who supply more than 80% of branded medicines used by the NHS in the UK – has struck a deal with the Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs), comprising of 15 academic networks over all of England.
Under the new deal, ABPI member companies and AHSNs will be able to identify and collaborate on projects to spread innovation through the health service. Areas that will be targeted will include economic growth, digital and artificial intelligence, and research.
Similar agreements have found success at a regional level and for specific disease areas: the Greater Manchester Pharmaceutical Industry Partnership has resulted in progressions of three substantial projects in Hepatitis C, COPD, and mental health in its first year of operation.
Chief executive of the ABPI Mike Thompson said the prize for success “will be a virtuous circle” that delivers benefits for patients and the NHS.
He explained: “As a result of this new partnership, patients will be able to benefit from the innovative medicines and technologies of the future faster and more consistently. There will also be economic benefits to the UK from a thriving life sciences ecosystem.”
Professor Mike Hannay, chair of the AHSN Network, said: “We are excited about the opportunities afforded by our new partnership with the ABPI, with whom we already have a long-standing and very positive relationship.
“This partnership will enable companies to benefit from a consistent offering from whichever AHSN they interact with. In turn, the NHS will benefit from better identification of products and services that can benefit patients and the health system, as well as improved signposting to relevant agencies and programmes where not directly provided by AHSNs.”
The AHSN was established in 2013 in a bid to spread innovation, improving health and generating economic growth.
Enjoying NHE? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!
Image credit: SolStock