Hospitals with most patients on clinical trials to get extra money
Hospitals that conduct clinical trials and offer experimental drugs to the most patients will be given more government funding.
Health officials have also announced that patients will have improved access to clinical trials via the NHS app.
Clinical trials can take several years and involve testing an experimental drug or process on a small number of patients to determine its safety and effectiveness.
The trials may offer a potential treatment to patients with no other options, and this provides invaluable data to drug manufacturers.
Trials are an essential part of a drug's lifecycle and allow companies to learn how well their medicine works, any side effects it may have and any unexpected benefits.
Data subsequently inform regulators who decide whether to authorise a new medicine for widespread use. Officials then also determine if it is cost-efficient to purchase the drug.
But these processes can take decades from invention to authorisation, and, in the meantime, patients who may benefit from a new drug go without access.
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) stated on Monday that as part of the Government's 10-year health plan, the NHS will have more closely integrated access to the database of ongoing experiments.
DHSC officials have said that people will be able to search the NHS app for trials. It is hoped that in future, patients may receive notifications on their phone if they are a good fit for certain trials.
It comes as upgrades to the NHS app will allow millions more people to receive appointments, reminders and test results there.
Trusts are set to be graded on how well they perform clinical trials, and their ability to get patients enrolled, with the use of new league tables.
It is understood that trusts performing the best will be prioritised for further government investment.
Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has previously said that NHS managers who perform poorly in such league tables would face the sack.
On Sunday, he said: 'The UK has been at the forefront of scientific and medical discovery throughout our history. One country will lead the charge in the emerging revolution in life sciences, and why shouldn't it be Britain?
'The 10-year plan for health will marry the genius of our country's leading scientific minds, with the care and compassion of our health service, to put NHS patients at the front of the queue for new cutting-edge treatments.
'The NHS app will become the digital front door to the NHS, and enable all of us as citizens to play our part in developing the medicines of the future.'
Covid-19 vaccine trials
At the height of the pandemic in 2020, the Government launched the NHS Covid-19 Vaccine Research Registry, which saw more than 100,000 Britons volunteer for trials of experimental jabs in a bid to speed up the discovery and testing of potential vaccines.
This allowed people to be vaccinated before the mass rollout, and data from their inoculation and recovery were vital in finding which jabs performed best.
Mr Streeting said: 'The British people showed they were willing to be part of finding the vaccine for Covid, so why not do it again to cure cancer and dementia?
'By slashing through red tape and making it easier for patients to take part, reforms in our 10-year plan will grow our life sciences sector, generate new funds for the NHS to reinvest in front-line care and benefit patients through better medicines.'
This Covid-19 clinical trial initiative was spearheaded by Dame Kate Bingham, the then-head of the vaccine task force, who had extensive experience in clinical trials and drug discovery.
The former vaccine tsar told The Telegraph that this latest step by DHSC and the NHS could have a huge economic benefit for the UK.
She said: 'This is a welcome step in supercharging the UK's national clinical trials capabilities. With universal NHS numbers and digital reach via the NHS app, the UK is uniquely positioned to lead.
'Theoretically, it has the potential to massively accelerate the growth of the UK life sciences sector.'
Dame Kate petitioned for the vast NHS database of patient data to be better leveraged after the pandemic, following the success of the vaccine initiative.
But she warned that the entire plan could be undermined by penny-pinching in Whitehall.
The UK pays poorly for new medications compared to other markets, she said, and therefore, drug manufacturers will likely prefer to run trials in countries that are willing to spend more money.
This could result in British patients never being offered experimental drugs in the first place, as trials are run abroad.
Dame Kate, who is also the managing partner of DV Health Investors, told The Telegraph: 'There is a risk that pharma companies will not run clinical trials on innovative drugs here in the UK if there is no prospect of patients ever getting access to those drugs.
'They will question whether it is ethical to do so. The UK pays some of the world's lowest prices for branded medicines, and under VPAG – where companies must pay back a percentage of branded drug revenues [this year a rebate of 23 per cent], the model risks making the UK commercially untenable.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
34 minutes ago
- The Independent
NHS plan for all babies to undergo genome sequencing after birth
Labour plans to invest £650 million into DNA technology to proactively treat serious illnesses. Health secretary Wes Streeting stated this initiative aims to "leapfrog" diseases by predicting and preventing them. Reports suggest that within a decade, all babies could undergo whole genome sequencing as part of this drive. The investment supports the government's 10-year NHS plan, which prioritizes technology, prevention, community care, and digital services. This strategy seeks to provide personalized healthcare, reduce pressure on NHS services, and follows a recent £29 billion annual increase in NHS funding.
The Sun
37 minutes ago
- The Sun
I tried a 11p Amazon buy that promises you'll never sweat out of your armpits again
NOW that the temperatures in the UK are finally rising, there's one thing many of us dread: sweat patches. They are those uncontrollable annoying damp circles under the arms - that no matter how much deodorant you put on, can not be avoided. 5 5 Whether it's a casual coffee with friends, a day out in the sunshine, or a high-stakes work meeting, visible sweat marks can leave you feeling self-conscious and desperate to cover up. I've tried everything in the past to combat this - from strong antiperspirants to breathable fabrics - but nothing seemed to truly solve the problem, especially on those warmer days when sweat patches seem inevitable. So, I decided to do a little research, convinced there must be a hack out there to help tackle this frustrating issue. After all, we live in the 21st century, where there are brilliant inventions like portable washing machines and self-cleaning gadgets. Naturally, my first stop was TikTok, where I stumbled across the trending hashtag #sweatpatches. That's when I discovered a solution that's surprisingly simple yet completely effective: Armpit Sweat Pads from Amazon, priced at just £4.59 for a pack of 40. This works out to be around 11p per pad. These pads are designed for everyone - men, women, and even children - and are perfect for a variety of situations, from commuting on the tube to exercising, giving speeches, or just enjoying a hot summer's day. They promise to absorb sweat, lock in moisture, and keep your underarms dry for up to six to eight hours. On top of that, they help prevent those dreaded yellow stains on your favourite tops, which, as we all know, are nearly impossible to get out. My feet always get freezing during the winter - my £1 hack will keep them toasty, with no need to put the heating on Using them is easy: you simply peel off the plastic backing and stick the adhesive side onto the armpit area of your top, leaving the padded side to absorb the sweat. At first, I was sceptical, but desperate enough to give them a try - and to my pleasant surprise, they actually worked. Despite a particularly sweaty day, my top stayed completely dry, and the pads themselves felt so comfortable that I forgot I was even wearing them. I kept checking throughout the day, expecting them to fail, but they didn't. The pad itself even stayed dry to the touch. Discreet padding What really impressed me was how discreet they were. They didn't leave any marks on my clothes or arms, and at the end of the day, I barely noticed they were still there - a testament to how lightweight and comfortable they are. I could stretch my arms, dance, socialise, and go about my day without worrying about embarrassing sweat patches. The only minor challenge is getting the positioning right when you first apply them, but after a couple of tries, it becomes second nature. 5 5 For just £4.59, these disposable sweat pads are an absolute game-changer. They're ultra-thin, incredibly effective, and suitable for both sports and daily wear. If you, like me, have been battling the dreaded sweat patches and pit stains, I can't recommend these enough. They've quickly become a staple in my summer survival kit, and I'll definitely be stocking up for the warmer months ahead. How to dress in a heatwave SUMMER is finally here with temperatures soaring this weekend, but it has been so long since we dressed for the warmer weather - what should we wear?The Sun's fashion team is here to help with a cut-out-and-keep guide to heatwave attire. Clemmie Fieldsend and Abby McHale reveal the ultimate dos and don'ts so that you never suffer from unsightly tan lines, sweaty patches or wardrobe malfunctions again. Cover up While you might be tempted to put on your skimpiest outfit when the mercury rises above 25C, it has actually been proven that staying covered up can keep you cooler. We're not saying wear your winter coat and wrap up. You should wear a light breathable fabric such as cotton - look for flowy midi skirts, dresses or wide leg trousers which will billow and create a nice cool breeze for you as you walk. Prepare for extremes With our unpredictable weather, it's not uncommon to see either someone in hotpants with goose-pimpled legs after an unexpected downpour, or at the other end of the spectrum, someone still wearing their winter tights in 30C heat. When you're on the fence, opt for a loose co-ord that will keep you cool but not expose you to the elements if it rains. Wear shorts Yes, you can wear shorts - and at any age. The key is getting the length just right and longer shorts are all the rage this year. Short shorts are of course allowed but they won't make you any cooler. If anything, micro-shorts can make you feel hotter. Plus, they are wedgie inducing, often too tight and often show off rather too much bum cheek. Wear white White is not the easiest to keep clean but it is the best shade for a heatwave, and looks effortlessly chic. It doesn't absorb light like black but instead, reflects it. It's also a shade that never goes out of style. If you do get the odd suncream smear on your whites, quickly dab with hand soap and water, rub in with a brush and then wash as normal. Don't show bra straps Whilst everyone wants to wear strappy clothing in the summer, there really is nothing classy about your bra straps being on show - especially when they're the opposite colour to your top. Instead, if you are plumping for a strappy top, stick a strapless bra underneath. Don't attempt a boob tube The boob tube has got to be one of the most faffy and unflattering pieces of clothing you can own. Yes, you will avoid shoulder strap tan lines, but you will spend the whole day pulling your top up and trying to keep your boobs in place. Come evening, you will have grubby fingerprints all over and will have no doubt experienced the odd nip slip. Don't choose espadrilles Espadrille wedges were once Kate Middleton's go-to summer shoe but they have well and truly fallen off the fashion wagon. While noughties ballet flats are back, the espadrille is yet to have its revival. It's one of those fashion items that Gen Z won't be seen dead in, and have even dubbed 'the granny sandal'. For now, opt for a ballet flat or a sandal. Don't wear crochet The crochet trend is nice enough and while it looks great on the likes of Love Island presenter Maya Jama, it's simply not practical. If the sun is out, chances are, you'll end up with tragic tan lines like a mosaic. Plus, it's essentially knitwear - hot and itchy. For men, knitted polos have also crept into the fashion fold, masquerading as summer wear but they are made from synthetic materials and induce swear. Wear at your own risk.
The Independent
44 minutes ago
- The Independent
Rantzen warns peers not to hamper progress of assisted dying law
Assisted dying campaigner Dame Esther Rantzen has urged members of the House of Lords not to block landmark legislation on the issue. The Terminally Ill Adults (End Of Life) Bill cleared the Commons with a majority of 23 votes on Friday, but opponents have vowed to continue their resistance in the unelected chamber. The legislation could face a difficult passage through the Lords, with critics poised to table amendments to add further restrictions and safeguards to the Bill. Dame Esther told BBC Radio 4's Today: 'I don't need to teach the House of Lords how to do their job. They know it very well, and they know that laws are produced by the elected chamber. 'Their job is to scrutinise, to ask questions, but not to oppose. 'So yes, people who are adamantly opposed to this bill, and they have a perfect right to oppose it, will try and stop it going through the Lords, but the Lords themselves, their duty is to make sure that law is actually created by the elected chamber, which is the House of Commons who have voted this through.' Dame Esther, who turns 85 on Sunday and has terminal cancer, acknowledged the legislation would probably not become law in time for her to use it and she would have to 'buzz of to Zurich' to use the Dignitas clinic. Paralympian and crossbench peer Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson told BBC Breakfast: 'We're getting ready for it to come to the Lord's and from my personal point of view, about amending it to make it stronger. 'We've been told it's the strongest Bill in the world, but to be honest, it's not very high bar for other legislation. 'So I do think there are a lot more safeguards that could be put in.' Conservative peer and disability rights campaigner Lord Shinkwin said the narrow Commons majority underlined the need for peers to take a close look at the legislation. He told Today 'I think the House of Lords has a duty to expose and to subject this Bill to forensic scrutiny' but 'I don't think it's a question of blocking it so much as performing our duty as a revising chamber'. He added: 'The margin yesterday was so close that many MPs would appreciate the opportunity to look at this again in respect of safeguards as they relate to those who feel vulnerable, whether that's disabled people or older people.' Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who steered the Bill through the Commons, told the PA news agency she hoped peers would not seek to derail the legislation, which could run out of parliamentary time if it is held up in the Lords. She said: 'I would be upset to think that anybody was playing games with such an important and such an emotional issue.' A group of 27 Labour MPs who voted against the legislation said: 'We were elected to represent both of those groups and are still deeply concerned about the risks in this Bill of coercion of the old and discrimination against the disabled, people with anorexia and black, Asian and minority ethnic people, who we know do not receive equitable health care. 'As the Bill moves to the House of Lords it must receive the scrutiny that it needs. Not about the principles of assisted dying but its application in this deeply flawed Bill.' Meanwhile, one of the leading opponents of the Bill, Conservative Danny Kruger, said 'these are apocalyptic times'. In a series of tweets on Friday night, the East Wiltshire MP – who is at odds with his mother, Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith in her support for legalisation – accused assisted dying campaigners of being 'militant anti-Christians' who had failed to 'engage with the detail of the Bill'.
