BIA and EMIG Join Forces to Explore the Future of UK Healthcare

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) and the Ethical Medicines Industry Group (EMIG) are to co-host a conference on 24 May in central London which will explore in detail the Government’s current NHS reform programme. “The Future of UK Healthcare – how to achieve success in the new reality” will explore the significant impact of these changes for the UK life sciences industry, particularly in research and development (R&D), and access and uptake of new medicines. Value-based pricing will apply to all new product launches from 2014 and represents the biggest upheaval to drug pricing in the UK for 50 years. Apart from improving patient outcomes and ensuring value for money, a central aim of value-based pricing is to stimulate innovation and the development of high value treatment. The impact of such a policy could have a significant effect on company R&D pipelines and the way future R&D is carried out in the UK.

Nigel Gaymond, Chief Executive of the BIA, welcomed the collaboration, saying: “The health reforms will have a significant impact on both the BIA’s and EMIG’s membership. This joint event will explore the key developments in the health environment, such as the new commissioning pathways, the changing role of NICE and its possible role in value-based pricing, and the delivery of the Quality and Productivity agenda to implement greater quality and efficiency against a backdrop of savings.This event is intended to foster new business development opportunities by bringing bioscience and pharma companies together for senior level networking. It further reflects the BIA’s commitment to work in partnership with other organisations to foster a spirit of greater collaboration across the life sciences sector.”

Leslie Galloway, Chairman of EMIG, added: “EMIG and BIA have worked closely to design an event that will enable the members of both organisations and those from the health and pharmaceutical sector to develop a sharper focus on the outcomes of the major changes in our healthcare system. The changes to the health system will take place over the next few years, but will have an impact that is likely to last for generations. “We have attracted an excellent line up of speakers, including Health Minister Earl Howe, Chris Brinsmead, Life Sciences Business Adviser, and Sir Andrew

Dillon, Chief Executive of NICE. The conference will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the impact of the proposed reforms for the life sciences industry and to network with others in the sector.” Further information at www.bioindustry.org