As previously reported AWTTC were awarded funding to deliver a range of initiatives through the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth (VPAG).
The scheme was agreed by the UK government and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) in November 2023. As part of this agreement, £400 million of additional life sciences investment is being made by the pharmaceutical industry over five years through the VPAG Investment Programme, which will accelerate work on clinical trials, manufacturing, and health technology assessment (HTA).
VPAG aims to enable patients to access the latest cutting-edge treatments, strengthen the UK’s position in global healthcare innovation and clinical research, and ultimately deliver better health outcomes across the population.
In line with the funding award, AWTTC has established four core projects:
• Horizon Scanning and Financial Forecasting
• Medicines Ecosystem (medicine assessment)
• Implementation (supporting uptake of assessed medicines)
• Unlocking Data (enhancing access, quality, and linkage of health data)
In addition to a programme manager a range of fixed term posts have been recruited into to support the delivery of the programme objectives, as set out below, with new starters currently onboarding.
In its first reporting period the programme will focus on the delivery of a range of key priority areas including the onboarding, training and induction of new staff. The first programme board will take place in September where members will approve programme deliverables, objectives and schedule.