UK News

UK News

The latest from the UK pharmacuetical industry

UKHSA opens new vaccine research centre in Wiltshire to prepare for future pandemicsUKHSA opens new vaccine research centre in Wiltshire to prepare for future pandemics
UKHSA opens new vaccine research centre in Wiltshire to prepare for future pandemics

Ministers have opened a new vaccine research centre at the UKHSA Porton Down campus in Wiltshire, intended to prepare for 'disease x', the next possible pandemic pathogen.

Aug 24, 2023 UK News
Bristol Myers Squibb’s Sotyktu recommended to treat adult patients with psoriasis on the NHSBristol Myers Squibb’s Sotyktu recommended to treat adult patients with psoriasis on the NHS
Bristol Myers Squibb’s Sotyktu recommended to treat adult patients with psoriasis on the NHS

Bristol Myers Squibb has announced that NICE has recommended Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) for use on the NHS in England as a new treatment option for adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Aug 24, 2023 UK News
Report finds NHS may miss out on new drugs due to rising costsReport finds NHS may miss out on new drugs due to rising costs
Report finds NHS may miss out on new drugs due to rising costs

Figures from a team at the University of York, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have revealed that the total cost of prescription medicines to NHS England reached a new high of £17.2bn in 2021-22, and that since 2018, NHS spending on branded medicines have been increasing by over 5% annually.

Jul 2, 2023 UK News
Trade union Unite calls for GSK staff walkouts over pay increase disputesTrade union Unite calls for GSK staff walkouts over pay increase disputes
Trade union Unite calls for GSK staff walkouts over pay increase disputes

UK-based trade union Unite were pushing for staff walkouts at several GSK manufacturing sites due to disputes regarding pay increases, however to date there have been no updates as to whether GSK have extended another offer.

May 25, 2023 UK News
Pharmacists in England given wider prescribing powers to relieve GP pressurePharmacists in England given wider prescribing powers to relieve GP pressure
Pharmacists in England given wider prescribing powers to relieve GP pressure

NHS England has announced that pharmacists in England will be given wider prescribing powers to relieve pressure put on GPs.

May 25, 2023 UK News
NICE recommends Otsuka’s Lupkynis (voclosporin) in combination treatment for active lupus nephritisNICE recommends Otsuka’s Lupkynis (voclosporin) in combination treatment for active lupus nephritis
NICE recommends Otsuka’s Lupkynis (voclosporin) in combination treatment for active lupus nephritis

Otsuka Pharmaceuticals has announced that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Lupkynis (Voclosporin) in combination with Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) as a treatment option for adult patients with active lupus nephritis (LN).

May 25, 2023 UK News
NICE recommends two CAR T treatments for blood cancers to the Cancer Drugs FundNICE recommends two CAR T treatments for blood cancers to the Cancer Drugs Fund
NICE recommends two CAR T treatments for blood cancers to the Cancer Drugs Fund

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced that it is recommending two personalised immunotherapy treatments to the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) for the treatment of aggressive forms of blood cancers.

May 25, 2023 UK News
AstraZeneca’s Lynparza approved by NHS EnglandAstraZeneca’s Lynparza approved by NHS England
AstraZeneca’s Lynparza approved by NHS England

NHS England has approved the use of AstraZeneca’s Lynparza (olaparib) for the treatment of patients with breast cancer and prostate cancer. This approval means men with advanced prostate cancer and women with her2-negative early breast cancer who are at high risk of the disease returning will be offered olaparib through the NHS in england. The decision has already received praise from charities and clinicians.

Apr 30, 2023 UK News
New clinical trial aims to find new endometriosis treatmentNew clinical trial aims to find new endometriosis treatment
New clinical trial aims to find new endometriosis treatment

A new clinical trial is set to begin shortly, which will be a collaboration between the universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Birmingham. The study will assess the efficacy of the drug dichloroacetate in managing pain for patients with endometriosis.

Apr 2, 2023 UK News
MHRA’s authority restored following Northern Ireland Brexit dealMHRA’s authority restored following Northern Ireland Brexit deal
MHRA’s authority restored following Northern Ireland Brexit deal

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has been limited to approving medicines in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) in the wake of Brexit, with the EMA still responsible for Northern Ireland. However, it is looking likely that a new deal with the EU will restore the agency’s authority over the whole of the United Kingdom.

Apr 2, 2023 UK News
Biotech centre focusing on gene therapies opens in Bristol, UKBiotech centre focusing on gene therapies opens in Bristol, UK
Biotech centre focusing on gene therapies opens in Bristol, UK

A new state-of-the-art facility named the Clinical Biotechnology Centre (CBC) is opening in Bristol, UK. It cost approximately £10m to build, funded by the UK Government.

Apr 2, 2023 UK News
AstraZeneca signs $63m agreement for gastric cancer treatmentAstraZeneca signs $63m agreement for gastric cancer treatment
AstraZeneca signs $63m agreement for gastric cancer treatment

AstraZeneca has announced that it has signed an exclusive licence agreement (ELA) with KYM Biosciences for cmg901, which is an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) intended to treat gastric cancer.

Apr 2, 2023 UK News