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The UK Pharmaceutical industry is the world’s third largest exporter of medicines. More than 30% of that sales’ income is ploughed back into research and development of new and better medicines, as a result of which the UK has discovered and developed more leading medicines than any other country apart from the USA, and more than Europe combined.

The pharmaceutical industry is a key partner in achieving the plans for increased R&D investment, as set out in the Government's 10 Year Science and Innovation Investment Framework for 2004-2014.



The Department of Health's budget for health research alone stands at £753m for 2006/2007 combined with £2.2bn which is spent annually by the NHS on pharmaceuticals. In view of the importance of this product group, both in terms of expenditure and patient care, it is vital that procurement across the NHS delivers Best Value. It is also paramount that Government effectively harnesses the expertise available from within the pharmaceutical industries and research institutions in order to renew a level of trust between the pharmaceutical industry, Government and patients.



The DH have recently made many strides towards achieving this goal, including the announcement of a revised model clinical trials agreement, which will mean that industry sponsored clinical trials on hospital patients in the NHS can start sooner, this will also mean that patients will get faster access to treatments, and the NHS will save money in a more streamlined system. Much more needs to be, and is being, done, however, every organisation has a valuable contribution to make to defining and executing the national pharmaceutical strategy.

   

To examine the current strategies of both the public and private sectors in the pharmaceutical sector, Public Service Events is pleased to announce Pharma 2007- Saving Money Saving Lives, which is to take place at the Barbican Conference centre, London, on March 7^th 2007, where through our main plenary and workshop sessions we will provide opportunities for key stakeholders from across Government and industry to disseminate current policy on a range of issues concerning the sector, focusing on the practical implications of delivery and highlighting models of best practice working between the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry.