Current processes are becoming unaffordable
The current process by which new drugs are regulated and tested is unsustainable and will lead to new medicines becoming unaffordable, according to the chairman of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE).
Speaking at Bupa's 'Health Debate 2009', Sir Michael Rawlings, chairman for the body, said: "If we carry on with the existing model, we won't be able to afford drugs that are developed. We know that some of these new products are completely unaffordable in respect to the increased value they give."
He added: "First of all, the drug development process has been made utterly complicated by the regulatory authorities. The regulations have been brought in with the best intentions but it's now becoming ludicrous. We have to do something about the cost of clinical trials. We have also got to acknowledge that the pharmaceutical industry is in trouble - they are going to lose 30-40% of their sales in the next few years. We've got problems with the regulator system as it is, and investors are not going to get the double digit investments that they used to expect."
Jon Pender, head of government relations at GlaxoSmithKline, responded: "In the current economic climate, everyone realises that we need to look at the ways we do business. I agree with NICE about the cost of research and development. GlaxoSmithKline is very open to discuss with regulators new ways of developing and introducing drugs to patients."
The men were speaking at Bupa's online seminar about the future of drug provision across the world.
