FPM Statement on latest ABPI report on the post-pandemic clinical research environment

29 September 2021

This report is timely and shows that despite unprecedented challenges, including a global pandemic and Brexit, the UK has still contributed significantly to international clinical research.

The report highlights key areas for attention in order for the UK to continue to pioneer in cutting edge therapeutic areas including adoption of innovative trial design, increasing and diversifying patient recruitment to trials and reforming approvals and set-up.

Adopting innovative clinical trial design and streamlined access to regulatory input will allow marginalised and disproportionately affected groups access to COVID-19 and other research.  The UK, with a more dynamic MHRA at its helm can spearhead creativity in drug development, including for ethnic minorities, pregnant and postpartum women, children and other overlooked groups.

However, this will require government commitment to significant and sustained investment in resource and skills across NIHR, the NHS, industry, regulators and academia, as well as continued collaboration across the system.