ABPI data shows significant commitment of pharma industry to UK

Data published by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) on Disclosure UK — the pharmaceutical industry’s database of payments and benefits in kind made to UK healthcare professionals (HCPs) and organisations (HCOs) — has revealed significant investment into R&D.

Overall R&D spend, according to the figures, has been found to have increased by nearly 10%, which represents an industry spend of £307.9 million on partnerships relating to R&D activities in the country in 2017 compared with £338.1 million in 2016.

“It is an encouraging testament to the pharmaceutical industry’s commitment to the UK as a hub of science and innovation that, in the wake of Brexit uncertainty, it continues to invest significantly in research and development as shown in this latest disclosure data,” stated Mike Thompson, chief executive for the ABPI. “£370 million spent on partnerships with leading healthcare experts and organisations on scientific discovery of life-enhancing medicines cements our place as a scientific hub which must be retained alongside continued cooperation on the regulation, trade and supply of medicines, after Brexit.”

The spend on partnerships relating to R&D actually represented three-quarters of the total spending disclosed on the database. The total transfers of value was £499.3 million, £370.9 million of which was spent on R&D and the remainder £128.4 million for payments and benefits in kind in areas such as registration fees, sponsorship agreements, donations and grants, as well as expenses among other things.

Most (82%) of this non-R&D money was disclosed by individuals,a named healthcare professional or a healthcare organisation — which is the same proportion as 2016. Additionally, the data indicated no lack of commitment from HCPs to transparency or the disclosure initiative with more than half of companies either maintaining or increasing consent rate.

There was also a decrease in the amount of healthcare professionals who have received payments or benefits in kind and who had data published against their names. The drop for 2017 data has been potentially linked to the introduction of the Europe-wide General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

“GDPR applies to all industries and organsiations across Europe and inevitably brings challenges for all as processes and procedures are checked,” Thompson explained. “I am confident that this drop in consent rate for 2017 data reflects the balance that companies have had to strike between meeting transparency requirements and respecting the rights of individuals as they implement this new legislation.

“We expect this figure to rise for 2018 data and, alongside NHS England, remain committed to achieving 100%. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists have demonstrated their commitment to greater transparency over the past two years and I would urge them to continue to do so as we strive for 100% disclosure.”