UK must get ready for new cell and gene therapies, says ABPI

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) got off to a good start with the introduction of cell and gene therapies but it must do more to get ready for the arrival of the advanced therapies of the future, according to a new report for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).

The ABPI reort, ‘Unlocking access to future ATMPs in the UK: Comparing international approaches’ shows that the NHS has made progress in getting advanced therapies to patients with rarer conditions – but must do more to get ready for the future pipeline of advanced medicines with larger patient populations.

ATMP treatment costs typically come ‘upfront’ requiring a single payment - but patients are often expected to benefit for many years afterwards. The cost of treatment is driven by a range of factors, including R&D and high manufacturing costs, due to the personalized nature of the medicines.