P 21

Ymchwiliad i’r Adolygiad Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer y Pwyllgor Iechyd, Gofal Cymdeithasol a Chwaraeon

Inquiry into the Priorities for the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee

Ymateb gan: Cymdeithas Diwydiant Fferyllol Prydain

Response from: Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Cymru

Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
National Assembly for Wales
Pierhead Street
Cardiff
CF99 1NA

1^st September 2016

1.1       Thank you for the opportunity to help inform the Forward Work Programme of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee at the National Assembly for Wales.

1.2       We appreciate that, in the short-term, the Committee will focus its discussions around some of the major, strategic challenges and opportunities facing the NHS in Wales, particularly workforce planning, recruitment and retention. However, we would draw the committee’s attention to another of the greatest challenges the NHS in Wales still faces: addressing the low level of patient access to innovative medicines.

1.3       We hope the development of a New Treatments Fund in Wales will help address the current early, inequitable access to innovation. However, the Committee may consider that they have an important role in reviewing:

•    The creation of the new funding mechanism, ensuring equitable and consistent patient access to the latest medicines, no matter the disease area nor location, by monitoring the implementation of NICE and All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) guidance across all Health Boards and Trusts in Wales;

· The delivery of appropriate accountability for patients’ rights to access new medicines, on the advice of their clinician; and

•    The processes of the AWMSG, confirming they are appropriate, timely and transparent, supporting patients’ consistent access to the latest clinically-proven and cost-effective medicines.

1.4       This third point has particular relevance given the increasing importance of precision medicines (also sometimes called “stratified” or “personalised” medicines), which aim to enable healthcare professionals to provide the right treatment, to the right person, at the right time and adhere to the principles of Prudent Healthcare. Precision medicines represent a “disruptive technology”, but one which stands to benefit all parties, especially patients, over the next 5-10 years.

1.5       These medicines enable health systems to evolve from the era of mass, or blockbuster, usage of medicines into more tailored treatments, responsive to an individual’s specific set of circumstances. Whilst the pharmaceutical industry is gearing up for this new era, other sectors in the healthcare landscape face significant challenges to their traditional ways of operating. If the undoubted benefits to patients are to be realised, all stakeholders will need to recognise and play their part.

1.6       Given their widespread ramifications, all parties need to be working together constructively and flexibly. NHS Wales and the Welsh Government will need to address the opportunities that these new medicines provide to patients’ health in Wales. Balancing the short-term, additional resource need that may be required to introduce them, against the longer-term efficiency and productivity gains. The Committee may wish to consider these opportunities and challenges, following the publication of the Welsh Government Strategy on Genomics and Precision Medicines towards the end of 2016 / early 2017.

1.7       Globally, one of the greatest challenges facing society and healthcare is the threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). In addition to the human costs, there is a substantial economic cost from AMR. Globally, estimates suggest that, in 10-years AMR will cost $625 billion, reducing global GDP by 0.6%. However, the current scientific, regulatory and financial obstacles serve as a disincentive for pharmaceutical companies from developing new antibiotics.

1.8       Under the auspices of the AWMSG, Wales has recently held a Citizens Jury looking into “What should we all be doing to fight antibiotic resistance?”  The Committee may choose to consider its report, when published, especially how best to address the wide-scale ramifications that protecting the wellbeing of Welsh citizens may have in a world where the current antibiotic arsenal is becoming less effective.

1.9       Finally, and potentially fitting with the Committee’s early thoughts around efficiency within the NHS and modern management practices, the pharmaceutical industry is increasingly offering opportunities to work collaboratively, not only with healthcare professionals, but also with healthcare organisations and Government bodies. This work is closely regulated, but brings with it opportunities for securing experience in business and industry skills within NHS Wales, which may help in looking for efficiency opportunities, in both support and clinical services.

2.0       Thank you again for the opportunity to provide this response to the Committee. We look forward to working with you over the coming years.

Your contact details

Name:	xxxx
Are you responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation?	Organisation
Organisation (and role if applicable):	Operations Manager – Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Cymru Wales
Telephone / Mobile number:	xxxx
Email:	xxxx
Are you happy for the Committee to publish your submission	Yes

The Committee may wish to invite you to provide further evidence at a later date whether in writing, a formal evidence session, or as part of informal evidence gathering.

Are you happy for the Committee to contact you for this purpose?

Yes