Drugs firms threaten UK exit unless NHS gets £20bn extra per year

[Northerner]

The pharmaceutical industry has issued a stinging election threat, suggesting firms could withdraw from the UK and delay drug launches unless the NHS gets a huge funding boost.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry's (ABPI's) self-styled " manifesto " demands an increase in health spending from 9.9% to 11% of GDP - which amounts to a sum of £20bn a year.

Lisa Anson, the new president of the ABPI and country president of AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN - news) , also suggested the future of the £30bn life sciences sector could be in jeopardy though a senior cabinet minister responded by declaring spending decisions must be made in the national interest rather than those of a single industry.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/drugs-firms-threaten-uk-exit-062600053.html

 

[grovesy]

Suprised not.

 

[mikeyB]

Any government doesn't like being blackmailed. It certainly looks a bit suspicious when an industry kept alive by the NHS is asking for extra money.