NHS data could be key to enhancing the UK’s global competitiveness in delivering industry clinical trials, according to a new report from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
The report, Globally competitive UK-wide data-enabled clinical trials: the time is now, suggests that the solution to a decline in participation in clinical trials, is better use of NHS health data.
ABPI highlights that commercial clinical trials are central to the UK’s life sciences sector and represent substantial economic activity and scientific advancement – contributing £7.4 billion to the economy in 2022.
Yet, the UK’s commercial clinical trial sector has declined significantly in recent years. Participation in industry-sponsored trials has fallen year-on-year to its lowest level since 2017/18, with only 3.4% of all trial participants now enrolled in industry studies.
Dr Janet Valentine, ABPI executive director of innovation and research policy, said: ‘Because of the benefits industry trials bring to patients and the economy, global competition to attract commercial trials is fierce. It is therefore vital that the UK acts now to secure industry investment and builds on the public’s growing enthusiasm to take part in research.’
‘NHS health data offers the UK a potential leading edge on our competitors by transforming how we find and recruit patients into trials, reducing delays, costs and avoiding wasted effort. Importantly, the approach we are recommending improves efficiencies in the NHS whilst maintaining patient confidentiality.’
A key driver of declining recruitment into industry trials is inefficient methods of identifying eligible patients. Current processes are costly and resource-intensive for an overstretched NHS, and they waste patients’ time when they are turned away because they don’t meet the trial criteria to take part.
NHS records contain comprehensive medical information on the UK’s 69 million population. This globally unique asset could dramatically improve how patients are recruited into industry clinical trials, resulting in faster, more efficient and more inclusive processes.
Anonymised NHS records are already being used successfully in parts of the country to support trial recruitment. The recent government announcement to establish a Health Data Research Service (HDRS) provides a way to better coordinate and streamline the identification of the most suitable patients for industry clinical trials.
The ABPI proposal involves conducting centralised searches of anonymised NHS records within the HDRS and providing this information to NHS trial sites, which have the authority to identify patients and review their eligibility for a specific trial. This evidence-based approach matches trial eligibility criteria to information within a patient’s medical record.
Trial sites can then invite all suitable patients to recruitment screening, increasing the number of patients who can take part in industry trials of innovative medicines. The model protects patients’ privacy and saves NHS staff time, as they no longer need to find patients from scratch using incomplete local information.
Dr Valentine added: ‘Our model, which has been developed in consultation with industry, NHS leaders and service providers, aligns with the government’s priorities for research and use of health data.’
‘If we get this right, we will restore the UK’s reputation for predictable and rapid recruitment into trials, making the UK a far more attractive place for global industry research investment.’
‘Global competition for running trials has intensified. In recent years, the UK’s position as a leading destination for industry trials has shifted, with other countries offering targeted incentives to attract trial sponsors, while the UK continues to face challenges in site set-up and participant recruitment.’
‘Restoring activity to 2017 levels could add £3 billion to the UK economy, £485 million to NHS revenues, and 26,000 jobs, showing the scale of the current gap and the economic opportunity.’