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Conclusion
The PPRS of today builds on past achievements. Britain has
a strong record in world pharmaceutical manufacturing, exporting
and research, despite relatively low home spending on medicines.
Taking all financial factors into account the pharmaceutical
industry contributes £2 billion2
or more to the economy.
The 1999 PPRS agreement has created a more transparent, rigorous
system. It is designed and can be seen to be able to take
into account and respond effectively to all dimensions of
the UK public interest in fair medicine pricing, and the discovery
of better treatments.
The NHS and the British pharmaceutical industry share common
tasks. They should work as constructively as possible to meet
the need for progressively less regulation but more effective
and efficient health care.
In future the need for 'supply side' interventions like the
PPRS may be reduced. The agreement on the PPRS specifically
recognises that innovation is the key to pharmaceutical success
and reflects the fact that, to be competitive in today's global
market place, effective industrial policy needs to take account
of both European and worldwide issues.
The pharmaceutical industry is committed to collecting and
sharing with Government information about the industry's competitiveness.
In turn, the Government will work with industry on relevant
issues, in particular the lightening of the regulatory burden
and the potential for further mutually advantageous deregulation
of pricing and profit controls via the PPRS.
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