[Ip-health] UK: ABPI calls for debate on access to medicines

[Michelle Childs]

http://www.abpi.org.uk/press/press_releases_08/220808a.asp
Healthcare Industry Calls For Debate On Access To Modern Medicines

Friday, 22 August, 2008

The pharmaceutical industry today/Fri called for a public debate on
access to modern medicines, and how society determines the value of
new treatments.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is
inviting NICE, patient groups, medical professionals, the NHS and
leading healthcare charities to debate the issues amid continuing
controversy on the availability and cost of innovative medicines to
NHS patients.

=93A frank, open and honest debate is clearly in the interests of
patients,=94 said Chris Brinsmead, President of the Association of the
British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). =93We are calling for the
patient groups, healthcare charities, doctors, Government, NICE and
the NHS to join with the pharmaceutical industry to debate these
crucial issues to hammer out a lasting solution. The time has come to
discuss how we best resolve the issue, and where better than on a
public platform?=94

The pharmaceutical industry spends approximately =A33.9billion a year in
the UK researching and developing new medicines for patients. This
investment has delivered over 90 per cent of the medicines available
today and has led to new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, cancer,
heart disease and HIV to name but a few, Mr Brinsmead added.

He said: =93The UK pharmaceutical industry =96 along with other healthcare
professionals and NICE =96 is committed to developing innovative
approaches to pricing, ensuring that patients receive the medicines
that they need. Taking the recent example of the four kidney cancer
medicines, all these medicines are widely available to patients
throughout Europe =96 where the prices are higher than in the UK.=94

Mr Brinsmead said: =93We are looking forward to hearing NICE=92s response
and welcome their contribution to what will be one of the most
important debates in the history of modern healthcare.=94

For further information, please contact:
Crispin Slee (office) 020 7747 1410 (mobile) 07715 169726
Rosalind Britton Elliott (office) 020 7747 1441

Michelle Childs
Head of European Affairs
  Knowledge Ecology International
www.keionline.org / www.cptech.org
Phone:+44(0)207 226 6663 ex 252
Email: michelle.childs@cptech.org