The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has proposed a Voluntary Scheme for Pricing, Access and Growth (VPAG) that aims to deliver a
sustainable approach to medicines provision and maximise the growth potential of the UK life sciences industry.
It has published the industry's vision for a new agreement with the government which will deliver for patients, the NHS and the economy.
VPAG also includes measures to ensure rapid patient access and adoption of new medicines, as well as opportunities to improve health outcomes and productivity for
the whole country.
The association's proposals consist of four key areas: restoring an internationally competitive commercial environment for life sciences; supporting UK clinical
research and R&D; ensuring rapid patient access and uptake of new medicines; and improving population health and productivity through health innovation.
The proposal would deliver over £1bn a year to the NHS - around £300m more than the average delivered under the old scheme before 2023, and comfortably more than the
highest contributions ever made before the pandemic.
The Health and Social Care Secretary has announced over £175 million funding to boost genomics research in the UK.
Through this funding, the government aims to create the most advanced genomic healthcare system in the world.
"Patients with cancer and children born with treatable rare genetic diseases are set to benefit from earlier diagnosis and faster access to treatment, following a
£175 million boost to cutting-edge genomics research announced by the Health and Social Care Secretary today (Tuesday)," said DHSC.
The funding will enable research which could deliver world-leading genomic healthcare to patients, which involves the study of people's DNA.
"£105 million to be funded to kickstart a world-leading research study, led by Genomics England in partnership with the NHS, to explore the effectiveness of using
whole genome sequencing to find and treat rare genetic diseases in newborn babies," said DHSC.
"An initial £26 million to support an innovative cancer programme, led by Genomics England in partnership with the NHS, to evaluate cutting-edge genomic sequencing
technology to improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis for cancer patients and use artificial intelligence to analyse a person's DNA, alongside other information
such as routine scans.
Global logistics company, JAS has received the Wholesale Distribution Authorisation (WDA(H)) license from the UK's Medicine and Healthcare Products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for its Pharma and Healthcare Division.
In a press release issued on Thursday (22 February), the company said that securing the license empowers its UK healthcare division to "seamlessly connect" with
its more than 40 GDP (Good Distribution Practice) certified overseas stations, strengthening its capabilities for handling pharmaceutical shipments.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the company boasts a team of over 7,000 professionals, with operations spanning over 100 countries.
Adrian Frodsham, Regional Director for JAS, said that they were granted the WDA(H) license after a "stringent audit process."
"JAS UK's pharma and healthcare division prides itself of offering innovative solutions for the international delivery of pharmaceutical products, further
enhancing the growth of our pre-established healthcare division," he added.
In recent years, the healthcare sector has seen a significant transformation driven by the rapid advancement of technology. From improved patient care to
streamlined administrative processes, technology has become an indispensable part of modern healthcare. As medical facilities worldwide embrace these innovations,
it's essential to understand why the sector leans so heavily on advanced technological solutions. Below are seven key reasons illustrating the crucial role of
technology in healthcare.
Enhanced Radiology Workflows
Advancements in technology have revolutionized radiology workflows, making the process more efficient and accurate. Digital imaging technologies, such as
PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) and RIS (Radiology Information Systems), allow for the seamless storage, retrieval, and sharing of medical
images. The specialists AbbaDox say that this reduces the time needed to diagnose and treat patients, significantly improving the overall efficiency of radiology
departments. Additionally, AI-powered tools can assist radiologists by highlighting potential areas of concern within images, ensuring that abnormalities are not
overlooked. These improvements contribute to faster, more accurate diagnoses and better patient outcomes.
Solgar® is delighted to announce the launch of its newest innovation Solgar®Earth Source® Koji Iron 27mg. The new supplement is designed to support consumers'
everyday energy levels and uses an innovative koji fermentation process to transform mineral iron into an iron-rich fermented food which is high in bioavailability,easy to absorb and gentle on the stomach.
Available now in a 30-capsule bottle (Trade Price £6.50 - RRP £13.99/€14.50), each capsule will provide 27mg of naturally sourced koji food fermented iron. The
convenient one-a-day formulation offers a number of health benefits including:
Supporting energy and reducing tiredness and fatigue
Contributing to the formation of haemoglobin and red blood cells
Supporting cognition
Supporting immune defences
Minerals, including iron, support growth and development and ensure our bodies function optimally. Iron is present mostly in animal protein such as lean meats and
seafood, but also in nuts, tofu and white beans in smaller amounts. Iron supports the production of haemoglobin, the crimson pigment in red blood cells, that helps
carry oxygen around the body. It also helps energise the body, and athletes, for example, may need more iron to support oxygen transport to muscles so they can keep exercising.
HayMax, manufacturer of organic, drug-free allergen barrier balms for hay fever, dust, and pet allergies, has recently won the 2023 Global 100 awards. The
HayMax balm, applied around nostril rims and eye bones, is an innovative allergen blocker against pollen, dust, and pet allergens entering the body.
Independent university research confirms it traps over a third of pollen, along with dust mites and pet dander, before they enter the body, according to HayMax.
The drug-free balm is Soil Association-certified organic, comprising 100 per cent natural ingredients. Safe for children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women, it
holds the Vegetarian Society Approved trademark.
This award has come as a complete surprise to us at HayMax," said HayMax MD, Max Wiseberg. "Being held in such high regard through this global recognition is truly
delightful."
"The Global 100 aims to offer readers insight into firms that excel in their chosen specialties, and the award underscores hard work and innovation of various
companies," said its organisers.
AmerisourceBergen, a leading pharmaceutical solutions organisation announced its intent to change its name to 'Cencora' to better reflect its bold vision and
purpose-driven approach to creating healthier futures.
Steven H. Collis, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of AmerisourceBergen said: "Over time, we have established ourselves as a trusted industry partner
that prioritizes innovation, advocates for patient access and advances strategic partnerships across the global pharmaceutical supply chain. To further bolster our
position, we must continue to adapt and evolve within our dynamic industry as we pursue the goal of enhancing health outcomes. Building a unified brand is fundamental
to our identity as a global healthcare company. We believe our new name better reflects who we are today and our impact across pharmaceutical care."
AmerisourceBergen intends to begin operating as Cencora in the second half of calendar year 2023. The change to Cencora is aligned with the organisation's growth
strategy and continued emphasis on innovation. AmerisourceBergen has focused on supporting pharmaceutical advancement and access for patients, manufacturers, and
providers across the global healthcare supply chain.
A pair of pharmacist brothers, who also own a popular restaurant in Kent, have started an innovative initiative 'Jabs with Kebabs' to encourage their community in England to come forward and take their Covid-19 vaccines.
Rav and Raj Chopra, who own V's Punjabi Grill, an Indian restaurant in Gravesend, established the walk-in vaccine site after their father, Jagtar Chopra, became unwell with Covid-19 last year.
The duo is among thousands to volunteer for the National Health Service (NHS) vaccine programme.
Talking to the PA news agency, Raj said he was inspired by the experience of his father, who got infected with the virus and has fully recovered since then.
"From a personal point of view, it was very debilitating to see Dad like that," said Raj Chopra. "It got everyone's emotions in play.
British health agencies have secured funding to develop a standardised approach to test the performance of vaccines being used or in development against
monkeypox, days after the World Health Organization labelled the growing outbreak a global health emergency.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) said it would give up to $375,000 to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and
Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to develop standard tools to assess the strength and duration of immune responses generated by current vaccines, and for tests used
to detect monkeypox antibody levels.
Apart from administration fees, these tools will be made freely available to the global scientific community, paving the way for a common standardised assessment
between countries documenting vaccine performance against monkeypox, CEPI said.
Until this year, the viral disease has rarely spread outside Africa where it is endemic. But reports of a handful of cases in Britain in early May signalled that
the outbreak had moved into Europe. So far, there have been more than 16,000 confirmed cases of monkeypox in more than 75 countries.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has backed a new framework from NHS England to reduce inappropriate prescribing of addiction-causing medicines.
It believes that the new framework is a positive step towards improving patient care by supporting medicine reviews and shared decision making to help people reduce
their use of medicines that are no longer providing much clinical benefit.
The society has also welcomed investment in innovative approaches to supporting patients and urged all pharmacists to refer people to such schemes.
Director for England at RPS, James Davies said: "Pharmacists are well-placed to help reduce inappropriate prescribing of high strength painkillers such as opioids
and other addictive medicines.
"Pharmacy teams can also often spot repeat purchases of over the counter medicines by patients so are well placed to intervene and give advice on the management of
chronic pain. Whilst opioids can play an important part in helping people with chronic pain there has long been a need for alternative approaches that are safer and
more effective for patients.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has laid out a series of urgent actions it wants the newly elected Labour government to
implement within its first 100 days in office.
Among the top priorities, the ABPI has emphasised the urgent need to appoint a new Chair and Chief Executive for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA).
Additionally, the ABPI has urged the new government to launch the Life Sciences Manufacturing Capital Grants Facility without delay.
Other measures the ABPI wants Labour to prioritise include:
Rapidly passing outstanding UK clinical trials legislation to enhance the UK's attractiveness for inward investment, including into research within the NHS.
Increasing commercial flexibility in the NHS England Commercial Framework for New Medicines to remove barriers for companies to launch new medicines and indications
so that NHS patients can access the latest innovative medicines.
Chiesi Farmaceutici, the international, research-focused biopharmaceuticals and healthcare group has acquired Amryt Pharma, a global biopharmaceutical company
dedicated to developing novel treatments for rare diseases.
More than 300 million people worldwide are affected by rare diseases, including those who are living with ultra-rare metabolic and dermatologic conditions who still
have no approved treatment.
The acquisition reinforces Chiesi's commitment to deliver innovative treatments to patients with highly unmet medical needs. As a benefit corporation and a B Corp,
Chiesi strives to create a world where it is common to have a therapy for all diseases and acts as a force for good, for society and the planet.
Chiesi's Head of Chiesi Global Rare diseases Giacomo Chiesi commented: "We are excited to add the Amryt family to our company in this acquisition that demonstrates
our commitment to rare diseases and aligns with our growth strategy through partnerships beyond internal research and development."
Chiesi's new CEO Giuseppe Accogli said: "By joining forces and expertise we will be able to grow our capabilities and further strengthen our position to provide a
positive impact on patients living with rare diseases."
With regard to the financing of the deal, cash consideration has been partially financed through a EUR 700m syndicated loan led by BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole
as Global Coordinators and ESG Structuring Banks, acting alongside BPER and Deutsche Bank as Mandated Lead Arrangers. Crédit Agricole is Loan Agent too. Lenders have
been advised by Clifford Chance, while Baker and McKenzie has assisted Chiesi Farmaceutici.
The Intime range from incontinence experts Ontex provides maximum protection and the low hipster waist has been designed with discretion and comfort in mind,
absorbing eight times its own weight.
The innovative hipster shape brings a perfect fit that works with any outfit, to provide a comfortable sensation and maximum wear-ability for the user. The slim
core means that women will never feel a bulky sensation when wearing Intime.
Prices start from £8.99 for a pack of 12 and can be purchased via the AAH ordering platform, or through your local AAH contact.
Digital transformation is sweeping across the healthcare landscape. Fuelled by ambitious government policy, exciting innovation and huge injections of funding,
it's hard for anyone in the sector not to catch a dose of digitisation fever.
But digitisation is not a universal tonic, and it certainly isn't always a 'good thing'. In fact, there's a real danger to digitising healthcare. Such a fundamental
change to the very nature of care delivery is an inevitably high-risk process: sometimes things or people get forgotten, vital processes stall, or new systems fail
to replicate the strengths of those they replace. Take, for instance, the digitisation of pharmacies.
Over recent years, the public's use of online-only pharmacies have boomed: in March it was reported that the number of items dispensed from distance-selling
pharmacies in England, UK quadrupled between 2016 and 2021.
These online providers offer an attractively convenient way for patients to receive their medicines; replacing a trip to a high street pharmacy with a package
delivered straight to their door. On the surface, this digital solution seems perfect not only for young patients with busy schedules, but also for older patients
or for those with restricted mobility who may struggle with in-person collection.
Jonathan Burton will receive the 2022 RPS Charter Award for his outstanding work for the Society and the wider profession in promoting the interests of pharmacy.
The award will be presented by the President at a future meeting of Fellows and Members to take place at the Society's Edinburgh office on 22nd March 2023.
Jonathan's main role is as a practising, patient-facing pharmacist within the community in NHS Forth Valley where he uses his advanced practice skills and independent
prescribing qualification to assess and treat acute ENT, dermatology, and respiratory conditions.
He was one of the first community pharmacist prescribers in Scotland and has always been at the forefront of innovation and service development.
Jonathan has demonstrated outstanding commitment and passion for the pharmacy profession throughout his career. He has excelled as a pharmacist in the Right Medicine
Pharmacy group, on local and national committees, in advocacy for the pharmacy profession and as a local and national leader who is highly regarded as an exceptional
role model for the profession.
Pharmanovia, the lifecycle management company has signed a licence and supply agreement with Aquestive Therapeutics for its patented diazepam buccal film
formulation across the EU, UK, Switzerland, and Norway, as well as countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)- up to 48 markets in total.
Aquestive Therapeutics has been granted tentative approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for its diazepam buccal film for the acute treatment of
intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity (i.e., seizure clusters, acute repetitive seizures) that are distinct from a patient's usual
seizure pattern in patients with epilepsy 12 years of age and older.
Pharmanovia will be responsible for seeking appropriate regulatory approval across EU and MENA.
Pharmanovia CEO, James Burt commented: "Pharmanovia and Aquestive are aligned in our mission to find new and innovative ways to enhance and revitalise iconic
medicines. We have extensive experience with diazepam through the Valium brand and, together with Aquestive's unique PharmFilm technology, we're intending to bring
a novel alternative diazepam delivery option to caregivers and patients at a time of critical need."
HRA Pharma is celebrating the 1st anniversary of Hana, the first type of daily oral contraception available in the UK without a prescription.
The launch of Hana in 2021 followed the historic decision of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to grant a marketing authorisation
and marked a significant step forward in the women's contraception category.
The company reports that pharmacists have embraced the reclassification and have found merit in using emergency contraception consultations as an opportunity to
educate women on their over-the-counter contraception options.
Alison Slingsby, innovations project manager at HRA Pharma, commented: "We have been delighted with Hana's reception - within weeks of launch, it quickly became
the best-selling mini-pill without prescription, with more than 95 per cent market share, and has maintained this market leading position ever since. We previously
had the experience of switching emergency contraceptive ellaOne to a P medicine, Hana is on track to match and eventually exceed the ellaOne volumes.
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has officially announced that Sebastian James, the Managing Director of Boots, will be stepping down from his role to pursue
a new opportunity in the healthcare sector.
James has given notice to leave the company and will remain with Boots until November. The UK pharmacy giant has already begun the search for a new Managing Director.
James is set to take on the role of CEO at Veonet, a leading European chain of ophthalmology clinics.
During his tenure as Managing Director since 2018, James played a pivotal role in transforming Boots into the UK's leading health and beauty retailer.
He oversaw significant growth and innovation, achieving thirteen consecutive quarters of retail market share growth. Most recently, the company announced strong
Q3 results in June with growth across all categories.
The British Generic Manufacturers Association has backed the UK government's proposed changes to the Statutory Scheme for branded medicines, which includes
a 'Life Cycle Adjustment' (LCA) mechanism to permit a lower rebate rate for medicines sold in competitive markets. The association underscored the necessity for
crucial amendments to forestall unintended consequences and ensure a practical alignment with market operations.
A precisely tailored approach is crucial in ensuring sustainability and growth in this sector, the BGMA said in a statement on Oct. 11. The Department of Health
and Social Care is currently working on the successor to the 2019 voluntary scheme for branded medicines and pricing access (VPAS) agreement, slated to end in 2023.
Negotiations for this successor, scheduled to begin on January 1, 2024, are already underway.
"We are pleased that the Statutory Scheme consultation recognises that branded generic and biosimilar medicines are subject to different market dynamics and
competitive pressures," said Mark Samuels, Chief Executive of BGMA. "As such, a one-size-fits-all approach across all branded products is not suitable for the
next five years. It is crucial to adopt a precisely tailored approach to this sector, ensuring both sustainability and growth."
Following centuries of stigma, the importance of mental wellness is finally matching that of physical healthcare.
Conditions such as depression have become common topics in the media, particularly in the last few years as celebrities and experts warned against the pressures of
social media. The bouts of isolation connected with the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue, with the British Medical Association declaring a UK mental health
crisis at the end of 2022.
This media attention has led to acknowledgement of the realities of mental health problems from the government and medical sector, and a recognition that these
need to be approached differently to physical ailments when it comes to providing treatment.
If you are motivated to be involved in this rapidly changing industry, consider these rewarding business ideas for developing a career in mental health.
Become a counsellor
Counselling is a broad term, but essentially it is the practice of having impartial conversation with patients about their life experiences with a view to overcoming
emotional obstacles and trauma. Training can take three to five years depending on whether you are getting a degree or diploma, and there are many opportunities to
specialise both during and after your education.
Psychotherapy is a similar field, but this is a more academically focused course that tends to be concerned with long-term or particularly complex mental health
issues. You will need a post-graduate qualification and several years of training to become certified.
