Despite the future uncertainty of Brexit, pharmaceutical industry continues to invest in UK R&D

Data published today by the ABPI shows that the pharmaceutical industry continues to invest significantly in UK research and development despite the future uncertainty of Brexit – working closely with healthcare professionals and organizations to improve patient care.

The data published on Disclosure UK – the pharmaceutical industry’s database of payments and benefits in kind made to UK healthcare professionals (HCPs) and organizations (HCOs) – shows industry spent £370.9 million on partnerships relating to research and development¹ activities in the UK during 2017. This is a 9.7% increase on 2016 (£338.1 million).

Spending on research and development activities accounts for three quarters of the total spending disclosed on the database for working in partnership with leading UK health experts and organizations to improve patient care. The 2017 figures show:

• Total transfers of value – payments and benefits in kind – made to UK HCPs and HCOs in 2017 were £499.3 million (£454.5 million in 2016)
• Three quarters – £370.9 million (£338.1m in 2016) – was on research and development
• The remaining £128.4 million (£116.5m in 2016) was for payments and benefits in kind not related to aggregate research and development and covered activities with HCPs and HCOs in the following areas:
  • Registration fees - £3.9 million (£3.5m)
  • Sponsorship agreements with HCOs/3rd parties - £ 23.9 million (£21.1m)
  • Travel and accommodation - £10.1 million (£10.0m)
  • Donations and grants to HCOs - £31.0 million (£29.4)
  • Fees - £48.9 million (£39.9m)
  • Related expenses agreed in the fee for services or consultancy contract - £6.0 million (£9.6m)
  • Joint Working² - £4.6 million (£2.9m)

82% of this non-R&D money is disclosed on an individual, named healthcare professional or healthcare organization basis. This is the same percentage as in 2016.

Mike Thompson, Chief Executive for the ABPI said:

It is an encouraging testament to the pharmaceutical industry’s commitment to the UK as a hub of science and innovation that, in the wake of Brexit uncertainty, it continues to invest significantly in research and development as shown in this latest disclosure data.

£370 million spent on partnerships with leading healthcare experts and organizations on scientific discovery of life-enhancing medicines cements our place as a scientific hub which must be retained alongside continued cooperation on the regulation, trade and supply of medicines, after Brexit."

The data indicates that there is no lack of commitment from HCPs to transparency or the disclosure initiative, showing that of the 102 companies that exist in both 2016 and 2017 datasets:

• 53 companies remained the same (11) or increased (42) consent rate
• 49 companies decreased in consent rate

However, for 2017 an estimated 49.1% of healthcare professionals receiving payments or benefits in kind have data published against their name. This is a 16 percentage points drop from 2016 (64.9%).

The reduction for 2017 data can be attributed to the introduction of the Europe-wide General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which replaces the UK’s 20-year-old Data Protection Act 1998 and aims to harmonize data privacy rules across Europe and gives greater protection and rights to individuals regarding their personal data.

In considering how to best address the requirements of GDPR, some of which may not have been clear when companies first worked with HCPs in 2017, companies are likely to have taken one of the following courses of action, the first two of which have the potential to impact consent rates, both at company and industry level:

• Disclosed all 2017 data in aggregate to avoid publishing individuals’ personal data.
• Re-sought consent from the individuals that they have worked with, in a new way compliant with GDPR, which may have resulted in a different consent rate.
• Not made any changes to their processes.

Because GDPR applies to all personal data, some companies have also made similar changes to 2015 and 2016 data.

Mike Thompson, Chief Executive for the ABPI said:

GDPR applies to all industries and organizations across Europe and inevitably brings challenges for all as processes and procedures are checked. I am confident that this drop in consent rate for 2017 data reflects the balance that companies have had to strike between meeting transparency requirements and respecting the rights of individuals as they implement this new legislation.

We expect this figure to rise for 2018 data and, alongside NHS England, remain committed to achieving 100%. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists have demonstrated their commitment to greater transparency over the past two years and I would urge them to continue to do so as we strive for 100% disclosure."