Brexit or not, drug discovery needs reform, says Peter Kellner

In the run-up to last year’s referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union, commentators and analysts warned that the country’s healthcare and pharmaceutical industries would suffer should the country turn its back on Europe.

Now, as the Prime Minister’s deadline for triggering a divorce looms, and the government publishes its industrial strategy for a post-Brexit Britain, the commentary appears to be less panicked, more cautious.

There are concerns over a loss of EU funding, but reassurance that the Chancellor has vowed to fill any gaps, at least in the short term.