Life Sciences Industrial Strategy strengthens the bond between medtech and the NHS
The UK’s Life Sciences Industrial Strategy, launched today by Professor John Bell puts a spotlight on the medtech sector’s vital role in improving patient outcomes, driving economic growth and reducing healthcare costs.
Trade body ABHI says it commends the work of Professor Bell, who worked with a variety of partners to produce the report, for “setting-out ambitious and comprehensive proposals which will boost the medtech industry, as well as the broader life sciences sector, for the benefit of the economy and patients”.
The strategy contains several positive recommendations for the medtech industry, many of which were the consequence of continued member input into the consultation process.
Of note is the importance of increased collaboration with the NHS, emphasised throughout the document.
There is also significant opportunity to maximise the possibilities that healthcare data holds for medical research.
Proposals to strengthen existing, and nurture emerging clusters, will aid the growth of medtech companies and realise their potential.
The strategy also sets out plans for one or more of the Digital Innovation Hubs to be focused solely on medtech.
ABHI says it is working with the Office of Life Sciences (OLS) to reconstitute a formal Ministerial MedTech Forum that will bring together representatives from government, our diverse sector, the NHS, and other partners. Through this forum ABHI says it will work with OLS to ensure medtech specific elements are taken forward.
This includes:
1. A focus on driving high levels of sustained NHS collaboration.
We welcome and support the statement that, ‘any credible life sciences strategy in the UK must have the NHS as an active participant’. For NHS-industry partnerships to succeed, and to address the UK’s long-standing challenge of adopting new technologies, the recommendations of the Accelerated Access Review must be rapidly implemented. The report acknowledges the ABHI’s concern that the UK commercial environment needs improving and highlights that greater flexibility in contractual arrangements is needed.
2. Prioritising the roll-out of a robust medtech specific export programme.
The report recognises that the UK runs a small life sciences trade surplus. Further investment into the Department for International Trade will be a significant opportunity to increase this through a targeted exporting support campaign for the UK’s medtech SME community.
3. Mutual recognition of the EU-wide system of medical device regulation.
As Britain prepares to leave the EU, continued convergence with the European-wide regulatory system will be critical in ensuring the medtech sector continues to attract foreign investment, whilst guaranteeing that UK companies have the strongest domestic market to partner and from which to export.