The importance of the pharmaceutical industry to the UK economy.

The objective of this paper is to indicate the importance of the pharmaceutical industry to the UK economy. Data on various aspects of the industry are presented and examined. As background information a collection of policies and pressures on the pharmaceutical environment are identified and discussed. The evidence shows what the UK economy stands to lose if it loses its pharmaceutical industrial base. Concludes that policy and pressure affecting drug products also affect drug companies; some of this is not realised when drug product policies are considered; the people of the UK will still need drugs whether or not the UK has a pharmaceutical base; the UK economy stands to lose a significant amount of benefits if it loses its pharmaceutical industrial base.