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 The initiative, which has similarities with a U.S.
scheme that has speeded the development of so-called "breakthrough"
medicines, follows criticism that Britain's state-run healthcare
system is too slow to adopt new medical treatments.
The Early Access to Medicines scheme, which was unveiled on Friday,
will mean that patients with life-threatening and debilitating
diseases may get access to novel medicines months or even years
before they are officially licensed for sale.
Doctors will be able to prescribe promising new drugs as soon as the
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency — the country's
drugs watchdog — signals that the benefits outweigh the risks,
following an initial scientific assessment.
The program will be funded by drug companies. That is a bonus for
the country's National Health Service, will which not bear any extra
costs, but it is a bone of contention for the industry, even though
companies overall applauded the plan.
Health minister Jeremy Hunt said the scheme would help make Britain
a leading location for life sciences and drug development, and
should create more jobs by encouraging firms to carry out more work
in the country.
Pharma has traditionally been a key plank of the British economy,
thanks to the presence of local groups such as GlaxoSmithKline and
AstraZeneca, and the presence of laboratories operated by several
international players.
But recent cutbacks, including Pfizer's decision three years ago to
close its large R&D site in Sandwich, southern England, have dealt a
blow to the sector and worried the government. That prompted a
pledge by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011 to improve early
access to key new drugs.
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The new scheme will be launched in April. Medicines deemed
suitable for inclusion will be given a Promising Innovative Medicine
designation, which could occur several years before licensing.
Although companies will have to fund early access out of their own
pockets, they will gain valuable experience about drug use and be
able to build up awareness of new medicines among prescribing
doctors.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry welcomed the
initiative. However, trade body said the lack of central funding was
a concern and it asked that the scheme be reviewed after the first
year to look at funding options.
(Reporting by Ben Hirschler; editing by
Jane Merriman)
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