Reputation – MPs: Research and development
Read more about how members of parliament see the pharmaceutical sector’s contribution to research and development
MPs recognise the sector’s level of investment in R&D and scientific prowess
“I think they've been absolutely brilliant, haven't they? I mean, if it wasn't for the pharmaceutical companies, we wouldn't have the vaccine, so I am usually absolutely scathing about pharmaceutical companies but I have toned it down because actually there is a lot to be said for the way they have performed over the course of the pandemic.” Conservative Backbencher
MPs continue to recognise the level of investment pharmaceutical companies put into R&D, and this has increased significantly in the past year. This theme, and the sense that the sector is innovative, underpins much praise MPs have for the sector, and the view among many that the UK industry is a success story.
While these positive associations are on the rise, negative associations, such as the sector being profit driven, are in decline. It is clear that the recent high profile successes from the UK industry have helped to improve its reputation in Westminster.
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MPs tend to agree that pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK produce effective medicines and focus on patient needs
MPs are in no doubt about the technical expertise inherent among pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK. Alongside the view that the sector is more advanced than elsewhere, majorities agree that the produce safe and effective medicines that people need and act to a high ethical standard. However, though opinion is, on balance, positive, a large minority are neutral, or disagree that the sector is transparent about clinical trial results.
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MPs do not feel that pharmaceutical companies operating in the UK are sufficiently transparent about pricing
I think they should make a profit, but they shouldn’t be pirates. And I think because it’s the health sector and all the rest of it, they should make a profit, they should make a reasonable profit. I wouldn’t ever object to that. Labour Backbencher
Just one in five MPs believe the sector prices medicines fairly, and few believe it is transparent about how it does this. The proportion who believe the NHS gets good value for money for medicines is in decline. However, nearly half disagree that the NHS is spending too much on medicines at present.
There is also now a lower level of agreement that the sector ensures access to new medicines for as many people as possible. However, most believe the NHS can get the latest medicines, suggesting this view on access may at least partially reflect views on global access rather than availability in the UK.
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Last modified: 20 September 2023
Last reviewed: 20 September 2023