Key Takeaways:
- The UK government, NHS England, and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) have partnered to launch the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access, and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme, a £400 million initiative aimed at enhancing clinical trials and life sciences.
- The programme will establish up to 18 new Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) across the UK, improving infrastructure and patient recruitment for clinical trials.
- The investment also focuses on sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing and modernising Health Technology Assessment (HTA) approaches to ensure better access to innovative medicines.
Clinical trials in the UK are set to receive a significant boost thanks to a new £400 million public-private collaboration between the UK government, NHS England, and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). The Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicine Pricing, Access, and Growth (VPAG) Investment Programme is designed to strengthen the life sciences sector, improve patient access to new treatments, and enhance the UK’s global competitiveness in health research. The programme represents a significant step forward in the government’s ongoing efforts to solidify the UK’s position as a leader in life sciences and clinical innovation.
The UK government, in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry, has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing clinical trials, improving patient access to new treatments, and boosting the competitiveness of the life sciences sector. This first-of-its-kind investment aligns with the government’s broader objectives to strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in health research and innovation.
VPAG Investment Programme to Establish 18 New Centres Enhancing Clinical Trial Participation Across the UK
One of the key focuses of the VPAG Investment Programme is to enhance patient participation in commercial clinical trials. To achieve this, up to 18 new Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) will be established across the UK. These centres will play a critical role in increasing the capacity and capability of clinical trials, ensuring that more patients can access cutting-edge treatments sooner. The initiative aims to address the need for more robust trial infrastructure and improve patient recruitment processes, making the UK a more attractive destination for clinical research. Additionally, the programme will allocate 20% of its funding towards sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing initiatives, further aligning with the UK’s net-zero targets.
The VPAG scheme is a comprehensive effort to bolster the UK’s life sciences sector, with a particular emphasis on enhancing patient participation in commercial clinical trials. To this end, the programme plans to establish up to 18 new Commercial Research Delivery Centres (CRDCs) across the country. These centres will play a pivotal role in expanding the capacity and capability of clinical trials, ensuring that a greater number of patients have access to cutting-edge treatments sooner. By improving trial infrastructure and streamlining patient recruitment processes, the initiative aims to make the UK a more attractive destination for clinical research, thereby strengthening its position as a global leader in health innovation.
VPAG Scheme’s Clinical Trials Focus Expands to Modernise Health Technology Assessments for Faster Patient Access
In addition to its focus on clinical trials, the VPAG scheme also includes a significant effort to modernise Health Technology Assessment (HTA) approaches. With 5% of the investment dedicated to supporting the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) HTA Innovation Laboratory, the programme seeks to enhance the assessment of innovative medicines. This modernisation will help ensure that groundbreaking treatments can reach patients more quickly, providing timely access to therapies that could significantly improve health outcomes.
As the UK government rolls out this ambitious programme, the VPAG scheme is expected to have a lasting impact on the country’s life sciences sector. By aligning with sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing initiatives and the UK’s net-zero targets, the programme not only aims to advance clinical research but also to position the UK as a global leader in health research and development. The success of this programme will be closely monitored, as it holds the potential to transform the NHS into a future-ready healthcare system and significantly enhance patient outcomes across the nation.
Resource: Govenrment of United Kingdom, August 28, 2024

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