The UK has a long-standing reputation for research into medicine and advances in basic science mean we understand diseases better than we've ever done before.
Clinical trials are very important for finding out whether a medicine works and is safe. Every medicine used in the NHS has to be tested in a clinical trial before its used.
Clinical trials are essential for testing whether a medicine is safe and effective, but really its only the first step. They need to be monitored and regulated for their whole lifetime.
The way we look for new treatments and cures is evolving, and medicines are more personalised now than ever before. Treatments are becoming more sophisticated as we gain a better understanding of science and disease.
Pharmaceutical companies around the world are pioneering new medicines and vaccines. The UK's life sciences sector employs over 250,000 people alone
