News & insights
Date: October 2025 | Sector: Global health | Expertise: Health economics & evaluation
Tensions in the UK pharmaceutical sector are rooted in economics
In 2025, the pharmaceutical sector’s confidence in the UK has exhibited an unprecedented decline. AstraZeneca, Merck and Eli Lilly have paused or cancelled major investments, with other companies raising criticisms and concerns. The accelerated review of the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth (VPAG) ended in acrimonious stalemate.
CEPA's global health team has identified several longstanding economic drivers underpinning the current impasse, highlighted the 'tipping point' factors arising in 2025 and set out some potential solutions.
The team's views are explained in a short paper, which is available to download from the link below.
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